Building sustains major water damage after fire

An apartment building on 7th Street in Morgan City sustained major water damage Monday afternoon after firefighters responded to a fire in the attic. However, no one was injured in the incident, Morgan City Fire Chief Alvin Cockerham said.

A couple of people had been in the home when the fire started, but they escaped safely before firefighters arrived. Including water damage, about 80 percent of the building was damaged on the inside, Cockerham said.

Authorities haven’t determined a possible cause of the fire, though initial investigation shows the cause may have been an electrical issue in the back of the building, the chief said.

At about 4:30 p.m. Monday, firefighters responded to a report of heavy smoke showing at a structure in the 500 block of 7th Street in Morgan City. The structure was a house that had been converted into two apartment units.

The fire got into the attic of the building, so firefighters had to open up the roof to reach it, Cockerham said. Firefighters contained the fire to the attic, but there was water damage below, the chief said. Officials cleared the scene shortly before 7 p.m. Monday.