Hazel Dell apartment’s roof collapses in 3 alarm fire Tuesday

A three-alarm fire Tuesday afternoon at Erica Village apartments in Hazel Dell caused the building’s roof to collapse but didn’t injure anyone.

Clark County Fire District 6 responded to the fire at 4:55 p.m. at 1115 N.E. 105th St. The fire was upgraded from two alarms to three around 5:30 p.m., bringing help from the Vancouver Fire Department, Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue and Portland Fire & Rescue.

The fire apparently started on the second floor and spread to the third floor and attic. Fire District 6 Chief Kristan Maurer said the Red Cross was assisting residents of the six damaged units.

Kayla Morris was eating dinner in her third-floor apartment when she looked out her sliding glass door to see smoke coming up through her balcony. She didn’t even have time to put on her shoes. She grabbed her dog, ran outside and called 911. She said she thinks all her belongings were destroyed.

She had lived in the apartment since October. She said she’ll probably stay with her parents until she figures out what to do next.

“I cried earlier but now I think I’m just in shock,” Morris said.

Erica Village residents Aidan and Jessica Ovall, who live in a building across from the one that burned, said it was scary to watch the emergency unfold in their otherwise quiet complex. They said firefighters arrived quickly and immediately began working.

Firefighters declared the blaze under control at 6:25 p.m. The Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating to determine the fire’s cause.