At approximately 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, emergency personnel from all across Gallia County responded to a large blaze at Valley View Apartments, a student housing complex located just north of the University of Rio Grande on Ohio 325. No injuries had been reported as of press time.

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RIO GRANDE — At approximately 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, fire departments from all across Gallia County and surrounding areas raced to Rio Grande to assist in fighting a large-scale fire that broke out in a residential apartment complex.

Sirens could be heard in just about every corner of Gallia County as firefighters quickly responded to Valley View Apartments located just north of the University of Rio Grande campus on Ohio 325. The Valley View Apartment complex has historically been known to house University of Rio Grande students.

The complex is made up of multiple-unit buildings, and the fire appeared to destroy one, 10-unit structure.

Firefighters on site said there did not appear to be any injuries resulting from the blaze.

Eric McKinney, director of marketing for the University of Rio Grande, said the structure had been under recent renovations, and as a result, there were only two currently occupied units in the heavily damaged building. As of press time, it had not yet been reported whether those residents were evacuated by emergency personnel or simply not at home at the time of the fire.

According to McKinney, URG President Dr. Barbara Gellman-Danley reported that she had been in contact with the local branch of the American Red Cross and that plans were in the works to provide shelter and amenities on campus to those impacted, if the need should arise.

As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, the fire still had not been entirely extinguished.

Details regarding the cause of the fire and the widespread response were not available as of press time. The Gallipolis Daily Tribune will post updates and photos on our website at www.mydailytribune.com and in upcoming print editions as details emerge.