More than two dozen people are displaced in Atlantic Street apartment complex

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- UPDATE 4:52 P.M. 1/13/22: Salinas Fire is reporting 33 people have been displaced after an apartment fire in East Salinas.

Firefighters said the fire started in a car port located towards the back parking area of the complex and spread to at least eight apartment units. The Salinas Fire Department confirms the fire was caused by an electrical issue with a resident's vehicle.

Everyone who lived in the complex had to be evacuated while crews put out the fire and secured the scene.

Families are being assisted by the American Red Cross. The Landlord paid for people to stay at a nearby Super Eight.

Patsy Gasca with the Red Cross said Alisal Union Unified School District notified them about the fire because most of the families impacted had children.

Atlantic Street is no longer blocked off.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Multiple fire engines out of the Salinas Fire Department responded to reports of flames and smoke coming from an apartment complex on Atlantic Street.

Crews at the scene said the fire started in a car at the apartment complex. The building appeared to sustain some damage as black burn marks were seen along the building.

Our KION photojournalist on scene reported seeing 3 or 4 engines still working as of 3:45 p.m.

The fire broke out while schools were letting students out of classes for the day.