Residents clear out apartments following fire at Village Green Apartments

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Dozens of people began cleaning out their belongings on Wednesday after being displaced by an apartment fire that happened Tuesday morning.

The fire started mid-morning Tuesday at Village Green Apartments’ new UNCW’s campus.

Dozens of people were displaced, with many returning to gather anything salvageable from their apartments.

Douglas Leess lived in the apartment below where the fire started.

He said while he’s sad to lose his home for the past 10 years, he knows things will get better.

“Because it’s upsetting,” Leess said. “Especially, you know, the photos and the diaries and the books and the memories. But, I’ve been living a more spiritual life the last 10 years and I’m healthy. Two of my most valuable instruments were saved. They just got some water damage. And this too will pass, you know, we’re insured and the management has been really great about taking care of us.”

No one was hurt in the fire and crews were able to get it under control shortly after arriving Tuesday.

The exact number of apartments damaged by the fire has not been released.