By Kristin Davis and Steve Stone
The Virginian-Pilot
SUFFOLK, Va. — Lynette Ricks was singing karaoke when the fire alarm sounded at her apartment complex .
It scared her into stopping Jennifer Holliday’s “I’m On Your Side.”
Ricks grabbed her keys, left the third-floor unit and headed down the stairs. Two hours later, she sat in the parking lot in her green Toyota Tercel, windows rolled up against the eye-watering cold Thursday morning.
Others - including many who had to be carried or helped out of the 100-unit Chorey Park apartment complex - kept warm on school buses brought to the scene shortly after the fire. Chorey Park, owned by the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, houses many elderly and disabled people. Four residents were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, said Capt. Jim Judkins, Department of Fire & Rescue spokesman. All were treated and released.
The two-alarm fire was contained to a second-story apartment and was likely accidental, Judkins said, although the exact cause is still unknown. The resident was not home at the time , he said. The blaze caused an estimated $65,000 in damage.
Crews were expected to work through the night to clean up smoke damage on the second floor. In the meantime, its 20 residents were being assisted by the Red Cross with alternative living arrangements for the night. The building’s other 83 residents were able to return to their homes shortly before 1 p.m., 4½ hours after the fire was reported.
Clarissa E. McAdoo, executive director of the city Housing Authority, boarded each bus as residents waited. They were in good spirits, she said. “I did say ‘Happy Valentine’s Day. I know that this Valentine’s Day will go down in history. I know you won’t forget it.’ I would have loved to bring them candy. I was just trying to bring comfort.”
Copyright 2008 Landmark Communications, Inc.
All Rights Reserved