Welding work sparked a fire that sent flames up 12 floors on the outside of an 18-story Atlantic City apartment building late Wednesday morning.
It took approximately 55 firefighters about 2½ hours to stop the flames that ran up rubber sheeting on the outside of the Ritz on Iowa Avenue at the Boardwalk, Chief Scott Evans said.
"There was difficulty accessing the flames on the exterior," Evans said.
They used Ladder 2's 100-foot aerial ladder to direct the water stream to the upper floors, he said.
Contractors were welding on the sixth floor when sparks and embers fell to the fourth floor, igniting the rubber sheeting that extended to the 15th floor. Smoke extended inside the building, but the flames were kept to the outside.
Of the buildings 325 units, 160 were occupied, Evans said. Everyone was evacuated.
The eight companies that responded were led by acting Deputy Chief Victor Logan.
"I want to thank the Atlantic City Fire Department for deploying so quickly to the scene," Mayor Don Guardian said in a statement. "Because of the efficient work of our fire professionals, the fire was under control almost immediately before it could spread any further. Luckily, no one was hurt or injured, and the residents are now returning into the building."
He thanked the Ritz's residents "for their patience and cooperation with our police and fire departments, as everybody worked together to make sure everyone was safe."
