’Twas the night before the night before Christmas when a structure fire erupted inside the Park Villa Apartments at 525 Pontiac St.
Oxford firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 7:18 p.m. Dec. 23.
The blaze began in a first-floor unit, which was described in terms of damage as a “total loss” by Fire Lt. Terry Roeher.
Roeher said the cause of the fire is undetermined at this time, but it appears to have been accidental in nature.
A burning candle may have been involved, the lieutenant noted.
The blaze caused “minor fire damage” and “moderate smoke damage” to the second-floor apartment unit directly above, Roeher said.
The upper and lower units next door sustained “minor smoke damage.”
An estimated $80,000 in property damage and $32,000 in content loss was caused by the fire, according to Roeher.
Only one injury was reported as a result of the blaze.
Roeher said a civilian “good samaritan” cut his hand while attempting to access a fire extinguisher to battle the flames himself.
Oxford’s first engine arrived on scene at 7:20 p.m. with the first tanker following one minute behind.
Roeher said the fire was “knocked down” within 15 minutues and “under control” within 30 minutes.
The occupants of the apartment where the fire started did not have renter’s insurance, according to Roeher.
Those interested in helping the fire victims with donations can contact the Oxford Fire Department at 628-2525.