Longmont firefighters contain blaze at Francis Street apartment comp…

Longmont firefighters late Sunday afternoon battled a blaze that tore through an apartment complex in the 1200 block of Francis Street.

Longmont Public Safety spokeswoman Robin Ericson said no one was injured in the fire.

Neighborhood residents gathered across the street as crews battled the fire from every side, including pouring water onto the structure from two tower ladders at opposite corners of the 1½-story structure, as flames shot from the roof. Cars in the adjoining carports burned and smoldered.

Structures to the north and south of the burning complex did not appear to be damaged.

Ericson said that the burned complex is a Longmont crime-free multi-housing building, and that eight units and eight car ports were damaged. She said that the number of displaced individuals was unknown as of Sunday evening but that Longmont Public Safety is working on arrangements for those displaced.

Ericson said that the Red Cross will assist with temporary housing for those displaced.

The Longmont Fire Department was dispatched to the fire at 5:07 p.m. and had contained the fire by 7:23 p.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Emergency responders blocked off Francis between 12th Avenue and Mountain View Avenue, and turned away eastbound traffic at Judson Street.