Santa Maria Apartment Fire Forces Dozens From Homes

Three people received minor injuries and dozens of residents were forced from their homes following an apartment fire in Santa Maria Thursday afternoon.

The fire broke out in a second floor balcony of a unit at the Vizcaya Apartments, 1720 S. Depot Street, south of Battles and west of Broadway. Firefighters were first called to the scene just before 4:30 in the afternoon. They found flames shooting from a balcony and smoke pouring through a roof.

A woman who lived in the apartment complex received a minor burn injury to her arm. A firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation and a police officer reported some debris in his eye. None of the injuries was expected to be serious.

Fire investigators were on scene for hours after the fire putting out hot spots. A total of nine apartment units were deemed uninhabitable due to damage from fire, water or smoke. The Red Cross was called to assist residents with a place to spend the night.