Breaking News: Lakewood Apartments on fire in downtown Stockbridge. Early reports indicate possibility of a total loss
Photo credit Valentin Chico Guajardo from Facebook
Flames shoot from Lakewood Apartment roofs. Chief of Police reported, “All people out and safe.” Photo credit: Johnnie Torres.
by Hope Salyer
At 8 p.m. Aug. 11, Village President Molly Howlett was seated in an outdoor council meeting when her phone dinged with a text from Stockbridge Chief of Police Johnnie Torres. An enclosed photo (pictured above) showed flames shooting from a building roof. Torres wrote: “FYI. Major file at Lakewood Apts.” Immediately following Torres’ first text, another arrived from him. He reported, “All people out and safe.”
Black clouds billowed into the sky. The scent and haze of smoke traveled for miles. The Lakewood Apartment complex was on fire in downtown Stockbridge.
Local and surrounding area fire departments and emergency services rushed to the scene, and firefighters battled the massive structure fire. On hand were Stockbridge Area Emergency Services Authority, Dansville Fire Department, Unadilla Fire Department and Chelsea Fire Department.
Early reports indicated the possibility of a total loss.
Photo credit Josh Akers from Facebook
Photo credit Josh Akers from Facebook
This is an ongoing situation.SCN will continue to report as more information becomes available.
Hope Salyer
Managing Editor, Newsprint Designer and Reporter for theStockbridge Community News. Board Member of the Stockbridge Area Educational Foundation. Public Relations Director of the Ann Arbor Electrical JATC and Union 4 Life charity.