VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A fire that began in a kitchen at the Crescent Square Apartments Sunday afternoon has displaced 72 people, according to the Virginia Beach Fire Department, with all 80 apartment units in the complex now temporarily displaced.
When firefighters arrived to the complex off Diamond Springs Road, the fire was brought under control within about 40 minutes.
No one was hurt during the fire.
The not-for-profit Virginia Supportive Housing organization manages the property, as well as several others across the Hampton Roads region, as a permanent and stable housing option for homeless and low income individuals.
In 2020, the organization helped more than 1,600 people.
Sheila Parker, VSH's Director of Housing, told 13News Now that more than 50 people are being put up in hotels until the electricity is back in the building, which is expected to come back within 48 hours.
"Yes it’s a huge expense, however, when you’re looking at the value placed on a person’s life and returning them to homelessness," she said.
The water damage from the sprinkler system shut down the building's electrical system, which caused residents to lose power. Water also damaged roughly 19 of the apartment units, according to Parker.
She says that once the power is restored to the building, the tenants who are in the 19 units with water damage may have to wait a little longer to return to their apartment because the units may not be ready for re-occupation.
“In some units the water was coming through the ceiling, water bubbles behind the paint," she says.
There are eight vacant units in the complex, two of which received water damage. Parker says those empty units may be used to house tenants while their units are still being repaired. However, VSH is prepared to pay for those hotel stays, if needed, until the units are inhabitable again.
A timeline for repairs in those remaining units has not been provided.