NASHVILLE, Ill. (WSIL) -- A devastating fire broke out in a senior living complex, leaving several residents without a home.
According to EMA officials, a significant fire broke out at the Village Apartments Wednesday evening around 10:30 PM, located at the intersection of N Hoffman Street and E Legion Drive. Multiple local agencies responded to the scene.
Matthew Bierman, the Washington County EMA Director, said the fire was contained to a single apartment. However, several apartments below sustained water damage.
Bierman says four residents were injured in the incident. Two individuals were airlifted to the Burn Center, and two others were taken to local hospitals. One resident was released from the emergency room last night, but the current condition of the other three residents remains unknown at this time.
The American Red Cross has set up a temporary shelter at the Trinity St. John Lutheran Church to support those displaced by the fire. Dawn Morris, the Executive Director of the American Red Cross, reported 13 residents stayed at the shelter overnight. The Red Cross is providing food, as well as mental and medical health services to those affected.
Dawn Morris emphasized the Red Cross's commitment to the community, stating, "We have reassured the local EMA, the hospital, and even the apartment management that we're here to help them. We will have these doors open for as long as we need. We will make sure that we have those mental health services and do it with nothing but compassion."
The Illinois State Fire Marshal is currently investigating the cause of the fire. In the meantime, Red Cross officials are prioritizing supporting residents until they can safely return to their homes.
