Flames shot out of a second-story window of a housing complex known as “New Jack City.” By the time the firefighters put it out, 11 people were taken elsewhere to sleep.
The single-alarm fire took place around 9:45 Sunday night at the complex at 66 Norton St., at the corner of Stanley Street in West River.
Problems happen regularly at that address, including this baby abduction last month, this mob beating, and this homicide. Hence the complex’s “New Jack City” nickname. The complex is run by Mandy Management and owned by a partnership led by Mandy’s owner.
Here’s what happened Sunday night, according to Assistant Fire Chief Ralph Black:
Firefighters arrived on scene three minutes after receiving the 9:45 p.m. call.
They saw fire coming out of a second-floor window and lapping at the upper floors on the building’s Stanley Street side.
They “advance the hose line” and put out the fire. No one had been inside the apartment.
The fire left water damage in the apartment directly below and smoke damage in the apartment above.
The department’s investigative unit is in the early stage of looking into the cause of the fire.
The Red Cross has found temporary lodgings for 11 occupants of the three apartments.
