40 apartments damaged, 12 displaced in fire at downtown Indianapolis high-rise

INDIANAPOLIS — A fire that broke out Thursday at a high-rise apartment complex Downtown resulted in damage to 40 units and left 12 people displaced, according to an Indianapolis Fire Department official.

The units at the east end of The Congress at Library Square apartment complex were affected by water from the sprinkler system, IFD Batallion Chief Rita Reith said in an email about three hours after the blaze was extinguished.

Crews were dispatched about 12:53 p.m. to the building at 923 N. Meridian St., right next to the downtown Marion County Library. Heavy flames and smoke could be seen coming from the top of the building.

An Indianapolis fire official at the scene told WRTV's Rafael Sanchez the fire started on the roof complex and reached at least 11 units on the fifth and fourth floors. Afterward, firefighters went floor-by-floor to assess the situation.

Reith told WRTV about 1:38 p.m. the fire was out.

A resident told investigators she heard a popping noise, then looked into the hallway and saw smoke. She then heard several more popping noises and evacuated, according to Reith.

All occupants evacuated themselves from the building and no injuries were reported. In addition, three dogs and two cats were rescued by firefighters, Reith said.

It's not clear how many people were inside during the fire.

A school bus transporting several Allisonville Elementary School students became stuck in the fire zone while on a field trip to the downtown library. It later made its way through. All students are safe.

Reith said IFD Victims Assistance is working with apartment management and the American Red Cross to provide shelter to the displaced residents.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.