Fire guts apartment

An early morning fire engulfed an apartment building under construction on the Gozaga University campus at press time on Monday, sending flames and embers into the night sky.

At least a dozen firetrucks were battling the blaze as of 1 a.m. The building was to open next year as a 200-unit apartment complex on the corner of Ruby and Boone, said Katie O’Neill, a GU residence director who was on call Monday.

Lorraine Falls and her daughter, Ayla McMahan, said they heard an explosion around midnight from their home near Montgormery and Monroe and went over to campus to see what was going on.

Although students are away on spring break, several bystanders watched as the U-shaped building collapsed. A Go Zags banner was visible on the building.

“When you see this, it makes every fire drill worth it,” said Gerard Philputts, who said he worked for GU housing and lives nearby.