Two adults were killed and one child was injured during a fire Wednesday morning at the Fulton Ridge Apartment Complex. The fire was discovered and reported to 911 at 1:29 AM.
Terri Lynne Vick Landcaster, age 42, and Roger Pate, age 39, were killed during the fire. A small child received burns and was treated at a local hospital, however, the injuries were not life threatening and the child was released following treatment.
The fire originated at 928 Decatur Highway, Apartment 302 and was reported to 911 by the apartment occupant. The apartment complex contained twenty-four units. Eight units were destroyed during the fire and the remaining sixteen sustained varying degrees of damage.
Investigators credit Fultondale Police Officer Chris Grubbs with taking action that allowed most of the apartment occupants to escape uninjured. Grubbs arrived on the scene approximately two minutes after the fire was reported and immediately started notifying residents of the fire. Had it not been for the actions of the officer the number of people injured and killed would probably have been higher.
The apartments were equipped with smoke detectors, powered by the building electrical service, and which also had a battery backup.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Fultondale Fire and Police Departments and the Alabama State Fire Marshals Office.