Multiple units damaged after an apartment fire in Hanover

MECHANICSVILLE, Va. (WWBT) - A total of 14 apartments were damaged in an apartment fire that occurred in Hanover County overnight.

Police say 14 units in the Brandy Hill Apartment complex were evacuated after reports of a fire came in at around 3:32 a.m.

Crews arrived on the scene at 3:41 a.m. and were able to get the fire under control after the fire spread to upper-level apartments.

“When crews arrived they saw fire on the roof area and the back area of the complex,” Hanover Fire spokesperson Gregory Martin said.

The fire was so heavy a second alarm was added.

Ladders soared across the sky and water poured as crews battled the fire that destroyed 14 units.

“If they hadn’t have banged on the doors like that then I might not have gotten out,” Christine Oglesby said.

Oglesby was asleep inside her apartment when crews went door to door making sure everyone made it out.

“I was kind of panicked, like what’s going on and he said ‘the building is on fire, you have got to get out,’” Oglesby said.

In the haste, Oglesby realized she needed to find her loved ones. Her two rescue cats were now in need of a second rescue.

“I was not leaving without them,” Oglesby said.

Firefighters were able to find them and get them out safely.

“They were panicked. They were really scared but the real heroes in this were the fire, EMS and police officers - they were amazing,” Oglesby said.

Officials credit working fire alarms and smoke detectors for getting everyone out safely.

The Red Cross is now helping those displaced.

The Hanover County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

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