NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WDRB) — A fire at an apartment complex in New Albany over the weekend forced dozens of residents from their homes and sent 23 people -- including three firefighters -- to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
The fire broke out around 8 p.m. March 22 at Parkview Tower, a nine-story subsidized housing building. Emergency responders rushed to evacuate residents as thick smoke spread through the floors.
"I heard the fire alarm going off and thought maybe kids were messing with it," said resident Tim Stacy, who quickly realized the danger as smoke seeped into his unit.
Firefighters worked swiftly to contain the blaze while rescuing tenants, some of whom were seen hanging from balconies calling for help.
"All available ambulances were called," emergency radio dispatchers reported. "We have unconscious people in the stairwell."
Officials said the fire was contained, but the building is now uninhabitable. Approximately 50 displaced residents were placed in temporary housing at a local hotel, with assistance from the New Albany Housing Authority.
"We’ve individually helped every person check into a hotel," said David Duggins with NAHA, adding that families could retrieve essential items from their units.
Pictured: in this image dated March 24, 2025, residents of Parkview Tower who were left homeless after a massive fire over the weekend talk with New Albany Housing Authority officials. (WDRB/Joel Schipper)
Local organizations, including the Revelation Tabernacle Food Pantry, stepped in to provide food, clothing, and supplies to those affected.
Pictured: some of the supplies from the Revelation Tabernacle Food Pantry that are being donated to dozens of residents left homeless after fire tore through the Parkview Tower apartments on March 22, 2025. (WDRB/Joel Schipper)
Saturday’s fire was the second major incident at a subsidized housing complex in New Albany in recent years. In 2018, a fire and electrical issues at the former Riverview Tower led to its demolition four years later. Some residents displaced in Saturday's fire were previous tenants there.
With hotel stays set to end soon, many families remain uncertain about their next steps. However, the housing authority say it does have vacant units in other buildings families could be moved to.Â
"The hotel room isn’t booked past tomorrow," said Tammy, a displaced resident. "I’m not sure what we're going to do."
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire or the future of the Parkview Tower building.
Related Coverage:
- Several residents of New Albany apartment building hospitalized after fire breaks out
- Fire in New Albany apartment complex displaces elderly tenant, leaves water damage for many others
- Fire at New Albany apartment building forces person to jump from 4th-story window
- Fire breaks out at Riverview Towers in New Albany
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