Heavy smoke forces apartment evacuation

Lawrence Fire & Medical responded to a two-alarm fire early Thursday morning at a two-level apartment at 536 Ohio Street.

Emergency responders received a call at 2:12 a.m. that heavy smoke was coming from the bottom apartment. According to a Lawrence Battalion chief, firefighters found the fire in the bathroom of the first floor apartment and had the fire out by 2:27 a.m.

Both apartments had one occupant inside. The woman on the bottom apartment received minor injures to her hand from broken glass when helping her dog escape the property. She was treated at the scene before driving herself to Lawrence Memorial Hospital for additional treatment. The male on the top floor apartment suffered no injuries.

Fire officers said the fire damage was contained to the bathroom, while smoke damage affected most of lower level.

Emergencies continue to investigate the cause of the fire.