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Last updated on Friday, April 5, 2013
(INDIANAPOLIS) - A faulty furnace may be to blame in an apartment blaze that forced seven people, including an infant, from their homes early today, fire officials said.
Anne Kelly, of RTV6 reports, firefighters were called to the Marina Apartments at 9629 Shoreland Lane on the city's east side just before 2 a.m.
They found heavy smoke coming from the roof, but crews were able to bring the blaze under control within 20 minutes.
Marsha Patton, who lived in the apartment where the fire began, said maintenance workers came out to work on her furnace Thursday afternoon after she reported issues.
"When I got home, I turned on my heat this evening, and smoke was all over the house," Patton said. "I turned it off, called the maintenance guy. He came over and said all the wiring was burnt out in there, and they would have to wait until the morning to fix it."
Patton was the first person to call 911 early Friday to report he could see flames in her ceiling, fire officials said.
Everyone in the building, including Patton, her daughter and her infant granddaughter, along with several dogs, were able to escape safely.
The damage to the building was estimated at $150,000.
Investigators said the cause is still unclear, but that an electrical issue originating at the furnace could not be ruled out.
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