Firefighters work to cut a hole in the roof of the north half of an apartment duplex, located at 304 N. James St., Milford.

MILFORD — Flames devoured the north half of a duplex located at 304 N. James St., Milford, on Friday, Sept. 15. Shortly before 9 a.m., Milford Fire Department was called to the scene, which was at the intersection of James and Smith streets, where they found half of the building on fire.

Mutual aid was requested from Turkey Creek Fire Territory and Plain Township Fire Department because of the proximity of the fire to other buildings in the apartment complex.

According to officials at the scene, a resident of unit 12 reportedly woke to the sound of a smoke detector in the residence. Upon exiting the bedroom, he found the living room area of the apartment filled with flames. The resident managed to safely escape. Residents in the attached unit 11 also evacuated the building without harm.

At this time, it appears unit 11 suffered significant smoke damage, but that the fire itself was able to be contained to the north side of the duplex. Flames escaping from the back door of unit 12 damaged the vinyl siding and roofline of unit 13, which sits perpendicular on Smith Street and appeared to be vacant.

The building’s owner was notified and has made arrangements for the unit to be boarded until a more permanent course of action can be determined.

Milford Police Department, Lutheran EMS and NIPSCO also reported to the scene.

Siding damage to the building located behind 304 N. James St., Unit 12, which was destroyed by fire on Friday, Sept. 15.