Three people were treated for smoke inhalation and one woman suffered first-degree burns Wednesday in an apartment fire that will leave half the building’s residence homeless for a few days.

Thursday, February 15, 2001

Three people were treated for smoke inhalation and one woman suffered first-degree burns Wednesday in an apartment fire that will leave half the building’s residence homeless for a few days.

The fire at 802 East Troy started on a stove top, said Albert Lea Fire Chief Rich Sydnes.

&uot;The lady that was in the residence was melting wax to make candles and, from what I understand, walked away from the stove,&uot; Sydnes said.

The wax ignited and the woman tried to extinguish it, but couldn’t, he said.

The fire was contained in the apartment’s small kitchen, and the Albert Lea Fire Department extinguished it in a matter of minutes, Sydnes said. But they spent a considerable amount of time trying to clear the building of smoke.

All 16 units in the building suffered smoke damage in varying degrees, Sydnes said. With assistance from the American Red Cross and the building’s owners, about half of the building’s residents will stay somewhere else for the next few days.