At least one injury is being reported after a structure fire at Briarwood Apartments in Benton Township Tuesday afternoon.
Residents were allegedly forced to jump from a third floor balcony during the blaze, according to witnesses on scene and the St. Joseph Fire Department on Facebook. About a dozen fire engines and emergency responder vehicles were called to the scene at 1849 Union Avenue, Benton Harbor.
Benton Township firefighters informed residents they would not be able to return to their apartments tonight due to smoke, water and fire damage. The Red Cross will be arriving to assist displaced residents, and the property manager said he will try to accommodate impacted residents when they return.
Benton Township Police Chief Greg Abrams tells us when he arrived, the blaze and firefighting efforts were well underway. Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad, who was on the scene at 4:30 p.m. said there were no casualties and the injuries were not life-threatening.
No additional information was immediately available, as the investigation is still ongoing.
