Fire damages building at Timber Top apartments in Akron; cause under investigation

The Akron Fire Department battled a significant fire Wednesday evening at the Timber Top apartment complex. Flames made their way through a multi-unit building, displacing residents from 19 of 26 apartments. No injuries were reported, but at least three pet cats died.

The blaze originated in a second-floor apartment, but its cause remains under investigation, according to the Akron Fire Department.

The apartment building sustained extensive damage from flames, smoke and water being pumped continuously into the structure.

It took at least two hours before fire officials determined everyone was safe. As of 6:30 p.m., firefighters were still putting out flareups, Fire Lt. Tim Morrison said. The fire was under control at 8:45 p.m., Morrison said.

Eleven Akron fire units and one Cuyahoga Falls unit were on the scene. They were called to 1814 Treetop Trail at 4:21 p.m. and reported heavy fire and smoke coming from the back of the building when they arrived.

The American Red Cross was on scene to help with the residents displaced by the fire. Of the building's 26 apartments, 19 were occupied.

Unit 24 is at the north corner of Treetop Trail and Amber Hills Drive. Heavy smoke continued to rise into the sky and fill the low-lying area Wednesday evening. Two ladder trucks attacked the blaze from both sides of the unit while numerous residents watched.

Timber Top residents hear explosion

Residents reported hearing a loud noise, which some described as an explosion before the fire.

“First off, I hear an explosion, a pretty big one, and I stepped out on the balcony and looked down to see what was happening,” said Joshua Robertson, who lives in one of the units with his girlfriend. "I ended up seeing a little bit of smoke and I didn't think nothing of it."

He walked around the building and then saw fire "drop down" and ran back upstairs to get his girlfriend out, knocking on some doors on the way. Unfortunately, the couple were not able to rescue three of their cats.

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Resident Jack Ream said he was playing video games in his apartment when he heard "a loud bang."

He called the fire department "pretty much immediately."

Carbon monoxide fatality in October

A woman died at the complex in October in a different building due to carbon monoxide poisoning, prompting Akron to require owners of any building with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages in Akron to install carbon monoxide detectors.

The carbon monoxide incident sent at least seven people, including two babies, to hospitals. A 66-year-old Mentor woman visiting the complex was found dead in a bathroom.

AIY Properties, which owns Timber Top, has posted more eviction notices than any other landlord in Akron in recent years, the Beacon Journal reported in December.

Previous Timber Top coverage

Evictions:Timber Top property manager leads Akron in evictions even as tenant complaints mount

Akron:Evictions near record high in Akron. Can anything avert this crisis?

Residents complain:Timber Top residents air past complaints after fatal gas poisoning at apartments