COMMERCE, Ga. — A kitchen fire in a second-floor apartment in downtown Commerce sent two people to the hospital and prompted a multi-agency emergency response Monday morning.
The Commerce Fire Department responded to a reported commercial structure fire at 25 Wilhard Street on March 9. When the first crews arrived, firefighters saw smoke coming from a window of the second-floor apartment.
Because the apartment sits among several closely spaced buildings in the downtown area, firefighters were concerned that the flames would spread.
“Commerce Fire personnel initiated an aggressive interior fire attack and were able to quickly extinguish the fire before it could spread to neighboring buildings,” the department said. The fire was contained to the apartment’s kitchen.
Jackson County EMS transported two occupants to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported.
Firefighters also rescued six cats from the apartment during the incident. One cat jumped from a window and remained missing on Tuesday.
One of the rescued cats required oxygen and was treated using a pet oxygen mask recently donated to the department by Bark Street Grooming. The rescued animals were taken to Commerce Veterinary Hospital for evaluation and care.
Agencies assisting at the scene included the Nicholson Fire Department, Maysville Fire Department, Jackson County Correctional Institute Fire Department, Jackson County EMS, and the Commerce Police Department.
Fire officials used the incident as a reminder for residents to ensure their homes have working smoke detectors.
“Working smoke alarms save lives,” the department said.
