Idaho Falls apartment building burns

Some of the 30 people who were evacuated in the Bonneville Apartments fire on Tuesday afternoon are being allowed to return to their homes, an Idaho Falls Fire Department spokesperson said.

Multiple fire and ambulance personnel were at the fire, which appeared to have started around 3 p.m. Monday. The building is on 635 Park Ave. Firefighters said flames were visible from a second story window when they arrived.

Emergency crews evacuated residents from the upper floors and brought some people out on gurneys.

“There (were) people trapped in an apartment in the fifth floor, and there were people in the fourth floor in an apartment on this side that was trapped,” said resident Judy Force.

Injuries were minor. Eight people transported to Eastern Idaho Medical Center for smoke inhalation, and was taken to the hospital with chest pains.

A center for fire victims was set up in City Hall Annex Building for them to reconnect to relatives and to stay warm. They were also served a hot meal.

The Red Cross was able to find rooms for some of the displaced occupants.

Occupants expressed a lot of concern for the pets inside. No pets died in the fire.

Emergency crews were examining those gathered at the City Annex to see if anyone else needs to be transported.

Firefighters were inspecting the building to determine the cause of the blaze Tuesday evening.

“Kind of not a good way to start Christmas,” said resident Steven Hayes.

Damage from the blaze is estimated at $150,000, according to Division Chief Dorin Howard.