GUILDERLAND — An early-morning fire at Woodlake Apartments caused damage to eight apartment units, and, although nobody was hurt, several people had to be permanently evacuated.

The Westmere Fire Department responded to a call at 2:41 a.m. on Monday at the apartment complex, according to the department’s fire chief, William Swartz.
"There was a real heavy smoke condition when we got there," Swartz told The Enterprise this week. "It was contained in under a half-hour, and then, within 10 minutes, unit five collapsed into unit six."

Several area fire departments also responded, he added, including McKownville, the Fort Hunter Firefighters Assist and Search Team, a Guilderland Fire Department squad truck, and Guilderland Center provided mutual-aid standby coverage.
"We ventilated the roof. I believe that’s what saved it," Swartz said about the limited damage to adjoining apartments.
"It was quick and we were able to apply direct water as a result. We actually saved the whole roof because of the one ventilation," he said.

The two apartments that collapsed into each other were the only ones that sustained significant damage, said Swartz; the other six apartments were only affected by water and smoke damage.
"Tri-City Rentals, who own the complex, are moving all of those residents to other apartments in their complex," Swartz said. "They pretty much took care of that the same day."

Swartz concluded by saying that all of the residents were safely evacuated and that no firefighters were hurt during the incident.