Fire causes Dempsey Apartments evacuation

A fire erupted Monday night in an apartment unit on the eighth floor of the Dempsey Apartments in downtown Macon.

The fire, isolated to one apartment, was called in about 6:40 p.m. at the Cherry Street building that is home to nearly 200 senior citizens, those with disabilities and others who receive government housing support.

"We're in the process of continually evacuating the eighth floor and the ninth floor," Macon-Bibb Fire Chief Marvin Riggins said about 7:15 p.m. "I have not gotten any report of any injuries ... The fire is under control."

Dozens of residents lined the streets waiting for the building to be cleared. It was yet to be determined late Monday whether residents would be able to re-enter the building.

"I'll have to give it a little more time to evaluate the condition of the building and the condition of the air quality inside the building," Riggins said. "We are working with the American Red Cross and they're going to be on site with us should that not be possible."

To contact writer Laura Corley, call 744-4334 or follow her on Twitter @Lauraecor.

This story was originally published February 29, 2016 at 8:14 PM with the headline "Fire causes Dempsey Apartments evacuation ."