MADISON (WKOW) – The Madison Fire Department says sprinklers in an apartment building prevented major damage after an early morning fire broke out on Madison's west side.
Public Information Officer, Eric Dahl, says two cars were damaged by the fire and the building suffered light smoke damage.
Madison firefighters responded to the fire around 1:55 a.m. Tuesday morning on the 8200 block of Plaza Drive, which contains two businesses and 22 apartments.
Upon arrival, fire crews saw smoke coming from the basement parking area's garage door. Authorities said the garage was filled with smoke and they had to use thermal imaging cameras to help locate the fire.
Fire crews located the burning car and used hose lines to extinguish the fire. Additional fire crews searched the building for any trapped or injured residents and used fans to remove smoke from the building.
Authorities say two sprinkler heads located within a few feet of the burning car activated and sprayed water on the fire. The sprinklers helped control the fire and kept it from spreading.
A Madison Metro bus was called to the scene and provided shelter for the residents who evacuated the building. As soon as the conditions were safe, all occupants were allowed to return to their apartments.
Officials say the fire caused approximately $40,000 damage to the vehicles and building.
Authorities are still looking into the cause of the fire and no injuries were reported at the scene.
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MADISON (WKOW) -- Fire breaks out at an apartment complex overnight.
Madison firefighters were called to the 8200 block of Plaza Drive around 2:00 a.m. Tuesday. Residents were evacuated, but eventually allowed back into the building.
The cause of the fire isn't known. No one was injured.
