Portage Department of Public Safety responded to an apartment fire in Portage last night, with reports first coming in shortly after 5 p.m. When emergency crews arrived at the apartment on Barrington Drive, neat Garden Lane, there was no visible indication of a blaze from the outside. However, the situation soon escalated as firefighters discovered smoke inside an apartment and were forced to make entry, according to WOODTV.
The apartment resident, a 63-year-old woman, was found and quickly removed from a smoke-filled environment by the responding firefighters. "Crews say smoking in bed caused an apartment fire," as stated in the release per WOODTV. In a fortunate turn of events, despite her proximity to the danger, the woman refused medical treatment upon being brought to safety. A firefighter, however, sustained minor injuries during the operation.
Investigations into the incident confirmed smoking in bed as the cause of the fire. Neighbors, alerted by smoke detectors, were credited with calling 911, a timely action that enabled a swift response from the Portage Department of Public Safety. On the back of this event, the Department highlighted the importance of adhering to "safe smoking practices and ensure you have working smoke detectors in your home," as emphasized in a reminder shared by WWMT.
