photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

First responders hold the door for residents of a senior apartment complex at 17th and Massachusetts streets after a fire in the building on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

A senior apartment complex just south of downtown Lawrence was evacuated late Wednesday morning after a fire in one of the units.

No one was injured in the incident, Battalion Chief Aaron Flory said, but one unit was fire-damaged and multiple units were water-damaged by sprinklers. He said the cause of the fire was under investigation.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Crews respond to a senior apartment complex at 17th and Massachusetts streets after a fire in the building on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Firefighters were called to the complex at 1700 Massachusetts, known as Babcock Place, just directly north of the Massachusetts Street Dillons, in response to a fire alarm. The first responders located smoke, then a small fire in a third-floor unit, which had activated sprinklers. Crews ensured the fire was out and conducted searches of all the floors to account for all residents, Flory said.

Around 12:30 p.m., residents, who had gathered on the lawn with various pets, were being allowed to return to their apartments and fire investigators arrived on scene. Flory said more information would be able following their investigation.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Crews respond to a senior apartment complex at 17th and Massachusetts streets after a fire in the building on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. This view is the back of the building looking north.