Multi-Alarm Apartment Fire at Summer Place Apartments

At approximately 1:36 AM, the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department responded to Summer Place Apartments (557 Azalea Road) for reports of an apartment building on fire. Three (3) engine companies, 2 ladder trucks, a rescue truck, and a Chief officer were dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, crews confirmed heavy flames engulfing a 2-story apartment building. Occupants were frantically fleeing the structure by any means, including escaping from windows on the 2^nd floor. Command immediately requested a 2-alarm response to the scene (1:40 AM), which included 2 additional engine crews, 1 additional ladder truck, a 2^nd rescue truck team, and Chief-level officers.

Suppression teams coordinated efforts for an aggressive, interior attack, while other teams were allocated to protection of exposures – adjacent apartment building and trees.

Firefighters rushed through neighboring buildings, alerting residents of the ongoing incident and the need for rapid evacuation. All residents in the affected and nearby apartment units were successfully evacuated without incident.

At approximately 1:56 AM, Incident Command requested a 3^rd-alarm response, adding 2 more engine crews and 1 ladder company to the fleet of units on scene.

For more than an hour, dozens of MFRD firefighters battled flames, protected exposures from radiating heat, and overhauled the structure, ensuring no further signs of fire remained.

Four apartments suffered significant fire, smoke, and water damage, deeming them a total loss. Several adjacent apartment units sustained mild-to-moderate smoke damage as a result of the incident.  

There were no reported injuries to civilians nor firefighters. The cause of the fire and damage estimates remain undetermined pending further investigation.