Blaze near UNCW started in a kitchen

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — An apartment fire in Wilmington this afternoon started in the kitchen, where investigators believe unattended cooking was to blame. Investigators with the Wilmington Fire Department said the fire at The Glenn Apartments caused more than $750 thousand in damage to the complex, but fire officials don’t believe anyone was hurt.

The fire started around 4:30 this afternoon. Folks were evacuated from the apartments shortly after that. The building housed 16 units, 8 of them are a total loss, and David Hines with the Wilmington Fire Department says it is likely the other 8 will be too. We talked with folks about the moments when they realized something was wrong.

“I looked to the side and there’s just flames shooting up from the apartment two doors over,” said James Mansfield, who lives in the apartment complex.

Folks left wondering what they will do next. The fire department said the Red Cross was on scene and helping to get folks situated for the night.