Seaton, 36, and Rachel Bovley, 24, didn’t waste any time making their way out of their first-floor apartment and into the parking lot.
By 6:20 a.m., the pair sat together wrapped in a white sheet looking up at the vacant third-floor apartment where the fire was contained.
The fire broke out at 5:34 a.m. at 1350 Carriage Hill Lane. There were no injuries reported.
Firefighters were able to put out the flames quickly, said Curt New, Hamilton deputy fire chief.
New said police on patrol saw smoke coming from the building’s roof and helped tenants get out of the building before firefighters arrived.
Residents of three apartments were displaced.
Most of the apartment building was vacant as work was under way to fix its roof damaged by heavy snow.
The cause of the fire, which was contained to the ceiling and roof of Apt. 12, remains under investigation.
Within an hour of the blaze, Seaton and Bovely, who said their apartment had some water damage, had packed their cars with a few necessities so they could go to Seaton’s parent’s house for a while.
Seaton was loading a pet carrier containing their cat, Charlie, which they left behind in the rush to get out of the apartment.
“He’s fine. It’s all good,” Seaton said with a sigh. “There doesn’t look to be a lot of damage and we’re all safe. That’s what matters most.”
C
ontact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or mrossiter@coxohio.com
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