KILLEEN, Texas (March 22, 2024) – Killeen Firefighters were able to put out a fire at an apartment structure in the 3300 block of Toledo Drive, after receiving a call at 5:34 this morning.
The first Killeen Fire Department unit arrived on scene within three minutes of being dispatched and found heavy smoke coming from the front door of a second floor entrance to the unit of a four-plex type structure. A resident said there was fire coming from the refrigerator.
Units began rescue operations by evacuating ten residents inside units that were adjacent to the affected unit and fought the flames. Once all occupants were safely evacuated, crews were advised that there were pets located in a room inside the fire unit. Crews located one adult and ten young puppies that had all suffered from smoke inhalation. Fire department personnel were able to successfully resuscitate three of the young puppies which were taken to an emergency veterinarian for further treatment.
The fire was brought under control within 35 minutes of arrival on the scene and crews remained on scene for two hours performing salvage operations and extinguishing smoldering areas.
There were no injuries but all four of the units were declared uninhabitable, resulting in a total of 14 occupants being displaced.
The Killeen Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, along with the American Red Cross assisted all displaced occupants with temporary sheltering and immediate needs. Additionally, the Killeen Fire Department was provided assistance on scene by the Killeen Police Department, Killeen Building Department, Killeen Animal Services and OnCor.
Units consisted of 21 personnel, including three engines, one Tower Ladder, one Heavy Rescue vehicle, one ambulance, two Battalion Chiefs and two EMS Captains.
The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental originating from within a large appliance.