St. George apartment building destroyed in fire

ST. GEORGE — A 20-unit apartment building was destroyed overnight Sunday in a blaze in St. George.

Crews were called at 2:30 a.m. to 400 E. Riverside Drive, Bella Vista Apartments' Building 2, which has 20 units. Firefighters found heavy flames in two of the second-floor units that extend to the attic — the attic connects all 20 units together, according to St. George Fire Chief Robert Stoker.

He said "the fire spread through the attic and the top level apartments, so we have all of the occupants of the 20 units displaced."

The apartment building contained 10 units on the first floor and 10 on the second.

"There were several police officers that were treated for smoking innovation as they helped evacuate the units," Stoker said, as well as a couple other occupants who suffered smoke inhalation but were not transported.

The fire appears to have started on the second floor deck of one of the units, and the cause remains under investigation, the fire chief said.

Crews from St. George, Washington, Hurricane and Santa Clara-Ivins responded, along with Gold Cross Ambulance.

Riverside Drive was closed for several hours due to the response.

The Red Cross posted, "Our thoughts are with everyone impacted. We recognize that many families are facing difficult circumstances as they work through the immediate aftermath of this event."

The Red Cross said it's working to find temporary housing and services for residents who are displaced.

"Community members wishing to help are encouraged to hold off on taking donations to the Red Cross offices until official needs have been identified," the organization said.

This story may be updated.

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