Cause Of Smithfield Apartment Complex Fire Released

Fire investigators announced Thursday the cause of a large apartment complex fire Wednesday afternoon that left more than a dozen residents displaced.

Officials said “unattended cooking” started the fire in one apartment. Flames quickly spread to four adjacent units in the complex.  Three of the units were used as residential apartments. One was being used as a maintenance unit and another unit was an office.

The 4:00pm fire at the Johnson Court Apartments on Kay Drive burned for about 90 minutes before being contained.  The fire was so intense the roof on the single-story apartment complex collapsed.

Johnston County Emergency Services Fire Marshal Adam Stanley said the fire has been ruled as accidental.

No injuries were reported.

The Red Cross is assisting more than a dozen residents who were displaced including a number of children.

 

Photos by JoCoReport.com