Two-Alarm Fire at Yester Oaks Apartment Homes

MOBILE, Ala. – At approximately 20:10 hours, Mobile Fire-Rescue Department units were dispatched to Yester Oaks Apartment Homes at 138 Yester Oaks Drive W for reports of heavy smoke billowing from an apartment townhouse in Building 39. Crews arrived on scene at approximately 20:15 to discover thick, black smoke flowing from the roof of Building 39.

Fire scene operations were immediately established, and a 2^nd-alarm response was requested at approximately 20:25 hours. Fire suppression teams forced entry into unit D in search of fire inside, while MFRD and MPD personnel coordinated evacuation efforts from all units in the building. All occupants were safely evacuated without harm.

Crews battled through thick smoke, discovering flames in the attic, which had spread to unit E. For approximately 40 minutes, fire personnel fought flames inside of the apartments and in the attics. Firefighters successfully held flames back from bursting through to an additional unit, while the apartment building’s firewall held firm, protecting units A, B, and C from potential flame damage.

Toxic gases and smoke were vertically ventilated from the structure, as teams effectively cut ventilation holes in the roof, allowing toxins to escape. Units D and E suffered significant smoke, flame, and water damage, while unit F sustained moderate smoke and water damage.

Approximately 7 tenants have been displaced from Building 39, as a result of the fire. Neither civilians nor fire personnel sustained injuries before or during the incident.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, as Fire Investigators continue to review the scene and interview necessary parties.