Overnight blaze rolls through condo complex

DIAMONDHEAD — A condominium building in the Diamondhead community is likely a total loss after an early morning fire Friday.

Lake Hamilton Fire Department Deputy Chief Doug Davey said Friday that the four-unit building where the fire started at 100 Waterfront Drive appeared unsalvageable, but that no injuries had occurred. He said the adjacent four-unit building at 102 Waterfront Drive fared a little better.

“There are some contents that are salvageable,” he said.

Davey said the fire was widespread by the time his department arrived at 2:25 a.m. There was no concern of it spreading to structures beyond the two-building complex, he said, but high winds that carried embers to the surrounding wooded area created the potential for brush fires.

Davey said the Rockport Fire Department was at the ready with a brush truck.

“The embers were flying with the wind so strong,” he said. “We were concerned about spot fires and brush fires. (Rockport) came and watched the area for any brush fires.”

Davey said his department had three engine trucks and a tanker truck on site. The Morning Star Fire Department assisted with engine and aerial apparatuses. He said Lake Hamilton’s crew was still on site Friday afternoon.

“We’re overhauling the site, extinguishing the hot spots,” he said. “They had to call in a backhoe to help access some of the fire due to structural collapse.” Davey said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.

The Sentinel-Record/Richard Rasmussen AERIAL ATTACK: Morning Star Fire Department uses an aerial truck to spray water on a burning condominium building in the Diamondhead community Friday morning. The building was likely a total loss.

The Sentinel-Record/Richard Rasmussen HOT SPOTS: Morning Star Fire Department firefighter Terry Falconer sprays water on hot spots at the scene of a multiunit condo fire at 100 and 102 Waterfront Drive in the gated community of Diamondhead Friday morning.