Photo by Kristin Rey Johnson

Monday night’s high rise, structural fire located at 303 West. Fifth St. around 7:35 p.m. has left one dead and one injured according to Jamestown Fire Department Officials, while others were treated and released on site.

“We had a triage point set up on scene,” said Keith Olson, a battalion chief with the Jamestown Fire Department. “We treated several individuals on scene; one person was transported to the hospital and one person died in the fire.”

Olson also stated the person who perished was at the fire’s origin point.

“Our investigators believe that the fire was caused by unattended cooking,” he said. “The person who died was in that apartment on the seventh floor.”

Because of the difficulties associated with fighting a fire in a high rise apartment – other assets and additional support had to be called in to help extinguish this blaze.

“We started out with 10 firefighters and a battalion chief,” said Olson. “We then required an additional 20 firefighters and with two additional engine apparatuses, one ladder truck and a command vehicle.”

Several Jamestown residents posted on Facebook their admiration for the numerous first-responders who displayed their heroism and dedication in evacuating the residents of this Housing Authority’s high rise building.

“Absolutely in awe of our first responders tonight. Witnessed an incredible display of bravery and dedication as two dozen firefighters, clad in full turn-out gear, ascended 7 floors to combat a fierce fire,” wrote Joe Snyder, a resident of Jamestown and witness to the structural fire. “Meanwhile, about a dozen law enforcement officers heroically dashed up and down those very stairs, not once but 6 or 7 times each, to carry residents to safety. Additionally, a team of EMS personnel navigated the stairs, assisted in door-to-door checks, and began providing immediate medical care amid the thick smoke.

According to The U.S. Fire Administration’s webpage, tousfa.fema.gov , “In 2021, fire departments in the United States responded to an estimated 170,000 home cooking fires. These fires caused an estimated 135 deaths, 3,000 injuries and over $494 million in property loss. Did you know: The leading factor contributing to ignition in nonconfined home cooking fires was unattended equipment (37%).

Scanner reports indicated 90 to 100 individuals were living at the location, which is a Jamestown Housing Authority property.

On its website, the Authority noted the senior high rise is an apartment complex that “features outside balconies in addition to the normal array of featured amenities. Coin-op laundries, a beauty parlor, fitness machines, 24-hour security, on-site parking, library facilities and much, much more, help to make this picturesque location the envy of the subsidized marketplace.”