Update: Early-Morning Apartment Fire Forces Evacuations

An apartment fire forced apartment residents to evacuate onto a Sun Metro bus early Saturday morning.

The flames broke out just before 7 a.m. at a complex on the 1000 block of Elm Street in Central El Paso.

Fire officials said due to fire and smoke damage, 42 displaced residents were moved across the street to a waiting city bus in order to keep warm.

Temperatures ranged from 27 to 30 degrees at the time of the fire.

The American Red Cross was also dispatched to the scene to provide shelter for those who wouldn’t be able to return to their homes.

About 50 firefighters responded to the blaze, which was under control within 10 minutes, according to officials.

When they got there, fire crews reported heavy smoke and fire from a two-story apartment complex. Firefighters found the fire in an unoccupied second-floor apartment unit.

Officials said fire damage was contained to the apartment of origin and the apartment below.

City building inspectors said they are not allowing occupancy of the complex due to safety violations, including lack of working smoke detectors and other items.

Three residents were treated for mild smoke inhalation on scene. All refused transport to a medical facility. There were no report of injuries to emergency personnel.

El Paso Fire investigators have yet to say what caused the fire.

Damage is estimated at $100,000.