Roanoke Countryside Estates Fire Displaces About 30 People

About 30 people lost access to their homes after a fire tore through the roof of an apartment complex in Roanoke, Virginia, in the early hours of Sunday, Oct. 25. It was the second weekend fire in Virginia this week where officials have pointed to discarded smoking materials, after a balcony fire in Alexandria.

What happened

Roanoke Fire & EMS was dispatched at 3:45 a.m. to the 2300 block of Tuckawana Circle NW, where the Countryside Estates apartments are located. Responding crews reported heavy fire coming from the roof, and the call was upgraded to a two-alarm response, bringing in additional units. A battalion chief declared the fire under control at 5:29 a.m., about an hour and 45 minutes after the first call. Part of the street was closed while crews worked.

Who was affected

The fire department says roughly 30 residents were displaced. WDBJ, WFXR and WSLS all reported that no injuries had been recorded. One smaller outlet said it was unclear whether anyone was hurt; we found no official statement supporting that, so we are reporting no injuries as the best-supported account. The reports we read did not say how many apartments were damaged or what temporary help was arranged for residents, and we are not guessing at either.

Cause

On Monday, according to WSET, officials determined the fire was accidental and caused by discarded smoking materials. We found that finding in one outlet's report, so it is worth confirming against any later statement from the city.

Why roof fires displace so many people

When flames reach a shared roof or attic, they can run across a building above the individual apartments, and firefighters often have to open the roof and soak the structure to stop the spread. Even units that never burn can end up unusable from water, smoke or loss of power. That is how a fire that begins in one place can push dozens of residents out at once.

What this means for renters

• Put smoking materials out completely in a deep, non-combustible container with sand or water. Never use planters, mulch or trash cans.
• Ask about the building's fire protection. Smoke alarms in every bedroom and on each level matter most; sprinklers and fire-rated walls between units slow the spread, and you can ask your landlord what the building has.
• Insure your belongings. A landlord's policy covers the structure. Renters insurance covers your things and, with loss-of-use coverage, the cost of staying elsewhere.
• Keep key papers and medications in a grab bag by the door, and photograph your home so you can document a claim.
• Displaced? Contact your property manager in writing, keep every receipt, and see our first-72-hours checklist and our guide to renters insurance after a fire.