Most students return home after fire

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - People near downtown Terre Haute woke up to the sound of fire alarms and sirens Thursday morning.

This, after reports of a fire at one of Indiana State's biggest student housing complexes.

"I heard the fire alarms going off. So, I went out here because I didn't know if it was a drill of if it was an actual fire and so I came out and I saw smoke. The fire trucks started pulling in," Brittany Moseley said.

Fire crews responded to University Apartments at 1st and Crawford Streets in Terre Haute.

Terre Haute Fire Department, Indiana State University officials, and The American Red Cross jumped into action.

First responders evacuated the building.

Everyone inside made it out okay.

"We were able to quickly extinguish the fire, do a search, determine no on was there," Terre Haute Fire Department Battalion Chief Ron Steiner said.

Officers quickly found out that the fire started on the fourth floor.

Officials worked to clear out the smoke from the entire building.

The concern then turned to where evacuees would live.

"We are working with the Red Cross and our other people on campus to identify the needs of the individuals that live in the apartment and try to relocate them to a good environment," Indiana State University Communications and Marketing Assistant President Tara Singer said.

The situation caught everyone by surprise.

Students like Brittany Moseley thankful that first responders came to the rescue.

Because of their quick actions a very serious situation, that could have been a catastrophe, avoided.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Most residents have returned to their apartment.

Students living on the fourth floor have been relocated to other university living.