Fire breaks out at apartment tower

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Several people suffered minor injuries Friday night when a fire broke out at Meridian Shoreland Apartments near 37th and Meridian streets.

Firefighters were called to the scene just after 10:30 p.m. Friday. At least five people were being treated for smoke inhalation, officials said.

The fire was confined to one apartment on the seventh floor of the north tower of the complex. Of the 195 total apartments in both towers, 132 are occupied, officials said. It was unknown late Friday night whether residents would be able to return to their homes. Indianapolis Fire Department was still working the scene and trying to determine whether it was safe for residents to return.

When firefighters first arrived, they had trouble getting up the stairs to investigate because of the number of people evacuating. They called in extra crews to help with the evacuation.

The cause of the fire and the extent of damage were still under investigation late Friday night.