A late-night fire tore through the Woodbury Commons apartment complex on Stumph Road in Parma on Friday, sending residents scrambling into the street and pulling in a swarm of firefighters. Flames and thick smoke were visible from blocks away as crews worked to knock down the blaze. At least one resident was taken to MetroHealth for treatment, officials said.
Parma police and fire officials described the scene as a "fully involved" apartment fire and told WKYC the flames broke out around 9:30 p.m., impacting roughly eight units. Crews warned onlookers to keep their distance as they fought the fire. Photos published with the station’s report show heavy smoke pouring from the roofline while ladder trucks and engines crowd the complex.
Fire crews, evacuations and injuries
News 5 Cleveland reported that Parma Fire Department units, assisted by crews from Parma Heights, responded to the 6000 block of Stumph Road and immediately focused on evacuating residents and containing the spread. Fire Chief Michael Lasky told the station that first-arriving crews faced "harsh interior conditions" as they pushed inside to get people out. One person was transported to MetroHealth for further care, and officials did not release that person’s condition.
Where it happened
Woodbury Commons is a multi-building apartment community along Stumph Road, with property records listing the complex office at 6128 Stumph Rd and about 156 units, according to Apartments.com. The development is managed by Zaremba Management Company, per the listing. Neighbors said the nearby intersection of Snow Road and Stumph quickly filled with emergency vehicles as engines and ladder trucks packed into the area.
Investigation and next steps
Officials said the cause of the blaze is still under investigation and have not released any details about what may have started the fire, according to News 5 Cleveland. The Parma Fire Department, which notes on its website that it operates five stations across the city, will oversee the origin-and-cause work, per the city’s fire division page at cityofparma-oh.gov. As of the time of reporting, city officials had not yet announced any formal sheltering or displacement resources for affected residents.
Neighbors and city crews continued to assess the damage late into the night, and authorities urged the public to steer clear of the area while firefighters complete an overhaul and investigators comb through the scene. This story will be updated as officials release additional information.
