GAINESVILLE FIRE DEPT. NEWS RELEASE:
“Today, November 20, 2023, at 2:51 p.m., Gainesville Fire Department responded
to the report of an apartment fire located at the Retreat at McEver apartments. The
first Fire crews arrived at 2:56 p.m. to find a four-story apartment building with
smoke and flames already coming out from one side of the building. Other crews
began to arrive and began pulling hose lines. Other crews started evacuating residents
from their apartments. The fire crews worked diligently to get the fire under control,
and at 3:09 p.m., the fire was reported out. Fire crews then began salvage and
overhaul to make sure there was no extension in the walls, floors, or further in the
attic.
Other agencies were called to assist with the incident. Georgia Power responded to
secure the power to the building due to the moderate damage. The Red Cross was
notified for a total of 7 families displaced due to the fire. There was no report of any
civilian or firefighter injuries.
The Fire Marshall was called out to investigate the cause and origin of the fire. The
cause is still under investigation at this time.
Thirty fire personnel responded to the fire scene. The incident was determined to
be controlled by 3:30 p.m.”