Fargo High Rise water-damaged after candle starts fire

Fire crews on scene at Fargo High Rise

The Fargo Fire Department responds to call about a major water leak at the Fargo High Rise at 101 2nd St. S. in Fargo Tuesday, Dec.17, 2013. David Samson / The Forum

FARGO Fire officials say an unattended candle started a blaze Tuesday night in a downtown apartment building, setting off the sprinkler system and causing significant water damage to much of the structure.

Shortly after 9 p.m., fire alarms went off at the Fargo High Rise, a 22-story complex at 101 2nd St. S. The Fargo Fire Department arrived to find water running down the east side of the building starting at the 15th floor, fire officials said.

Firefighters learned that the sprinklers had extinguished a fire on the 15th floor in apartment 1511. Inside the unit, they found the woman who lived there. She was not injured, fire officials said.

The woman told fire investigators that she had lit a candle in a bedroom and then went into another room. She later discovered a pillow and bedspread were on fire, and she tried unsuccessfully to extinguish the flames.

The blaze, which caused minor fire and smoke damage, was contained to the woman's apartment, but it activated the sprinkler system, which caused significant water damage to the apartment and the first 15 floors, fire officials said.

The fire led many residents to evacuate the building. Early Wednesday, authorities were still determining how many tenants would be displaced by the water damage.

The Fargo High Rise with 249 one-bedroom units was built in 1971 and is considered one of Fargos tallest residential buildings. An estimated cost of the damage was not available early Wednesday.

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Fargo High Rise water-damaged after candle starts fire