Residents gathered in the community room of the high rise Monday following the fire. P-J photo by Kristin Rey Johnson

A fire Monday at a senior high rise apartment building in Jamestown has left one person dead and one injured.

Jamestown Fire Department officials said Tuesday other building occupants were treated and released at the scene. The fire began around 7:35 p.m. and was reported out within roughly an hour.

“We had a triage point set up on scene,” said Keith Olson, Jamestown Fire Department battalion chief.

The fire appears to have forced what appears to be total displacement amongst the rest of the building’s tenants, predicating the involvement of multiple governmental agencies and non-profit support.

“The fire was contained to one apartment,” said Joe Gerace, the executive director of the Jamestown Housing Authority. “This displacement was more because of the water damage and smoke damage because of our fire suppression systems.”

“The residents were sheltered in other places last night,” said Crystal Surdyk, the director of development of Jamestown. “We are meeting with the Red Cross and officials with the Jamestown Housing Authority. A press release will be forthcoming once we have all the information.”

Gerace also elaborated more on the reported building evacuation.

“We know of 14 individuals housed at the Fluvanna Church, the rest were housed with family members, friends and other accommodations,” he said.

Surdyk went on to explain that the city is moving as fast as it can to safely allow residents to return as soon as possible.

“We’re reinspecting the units that have been cleaned up to clear them for re-entry,” she said.

Olson also said the person who perished was in the apartment where the fire started.

“Our investigators believe that the fire was caused by unattended cooking,” he said. “The person who died was in that apartment on the seventh floor.”

Because of the difficulties associated with fighting a fire in a high rise apartment, other assets and additional support had to be called in to help extinguish this blaze.

“We started out with 10 firefighters and a battalion chief,” said Olson. “We then required an additional 20 firefighters and with two additional engine apparatuses, one ladder truck and a command vehicle.”

Several Jamestown residents posted on Facebook their admiration for the numerous first-responders who displayed their heroism and dedication in evacuating the residents of this Housing Authority’s high rise building.

“Absolutely in awe of our first responders tonight. Witnessed an incredible display of bravery and dedication as two dozen firefighters, clad in full turn-out gear, ascended 7 floors to combat a fierce fire,” wrote Joe Snyder, a resident of Jamestown and witness to the fire. “Meanwhile, about a dozen law enforcement officers heroically dashed up and down those very stairs, not once but 6 or 7 times each, to carry residents to safety. Additionally, a team of EMS personnel navigated the stairs, assisted in door-to-door checks, and began providing immediate medical care amid the thick smoke.

Scanner reports indicated 90 to 100 individuals were living at the location, which is a Jamestown Housing Authority property.

On its website, the authority noted the senior high rise is an apartment complex that “features outside balconies in addition to the normal array of featured amenities. Coin-op laundries, a beauty parlor, fitness machines, 24-hour security, on-site parking, library facilities and much, much more, help to make this picturesque location the envy of the subsidized marketplace.”