Officials confirm fireworks caused South Toledo apartment blaze

7/7/2008
BLADE STAFF

Fire Chief Mike Wolever announced Monday afternoon that fireworks caused the blaze at the Hunters Ridge apartment complex early Saturday that destroyed nine buildings and displaced about 200 residents.

Witnesses reported they observed people shooting firecrackers in the area and saw some land on the roof of Building K, where the fire started about 1:30 a.m.

The fire destroyed eight apartment buildings and damaged three others at the complex on Gibralter Heights near Byrne Road and Airport Highway. The complex's office also was destroyed, authorities said. No one was believed to have been injured in the fire.

Structural damage was estimated at $5 million.