NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A fire that began Monday morning in the middle of an Ocean View condominium complex spread quickly. The Norfolk fire department reported no injuries but the fire displaced the 23 residents.
The two-alarm fire broke out in the 1200 block of W. Ocean View Ave in the Willoughby Spit section just before the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. The call came in at 10:10 a.m.
WAVY’s Chopper 10 captured video of heavy smoke billowing from the roof of one row house, with the fire extending into adjacent units. Crews eventually were able to use a ladder truck and attack the fire from above, but said they were still concerned about fire in the walls.
Neighbor Marianne McGovern and her sister saw the smoke and flames from their home nearby.
“When I came out and saw which [building] it was, I know people, those are my neighbors and when I saw them I was of course worried for my neighbors,” McGovern said.
Several fire trucks and ambulances staged in the block of Ocean View between Le Clair and 13th View Streets, blocking traffic for several hours as crews brought the fire under control.
Willis Taylor was on delivery route when he pulled over to call 911, and was happy to hear everyone survived.
“This could be very sad for these people because they’ve lost possessions and everything, but you can’t replace the life, but you can replace the possessions.”
An aerial truck targeted an area near the middle of the 13 two-story units attached in a straight line less than a block from the bay. Smoke changed from dark to light and back to dark again, as firefighters had to battle flames that re-ignited.
Fire officials said putting the fire out was challenging because it appeared to start toward one of the middle units, crews had to fight on both sides of the fire. The cool winds coming off the bay and access issues created even more challenges for the companies on scene.
The fire was under control by 12:30 p.m., about two hours after crews arrived on scene.
The cause remains under investigation.
Check back for updates.
