Repairs needed after Evansville tower’s fire

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Officials say several dozen apartment doors must be replaced in a 10-story apartment building in Evansville evacuated because of a weekend fire before residents can return.

The city’s building commissioner says a contractor was expected on Tuesday to deliver replacements for about 75 apartment doors that were damaged during search operations Sunday at Grandview Tower.

Ben Miller tells the Evansville Courier & Press that the apartments must have locking doors before residents can move back into the 170-unit building for the elderly and the disabled. The sprinkler system also needs inspected.

The Red Cross says some 40 people stayed at its shelter after the smoky fire that killed a 66-year-old woman living in an apartment where the fire started. Investigators blamed the fire on smoking materials in a bed.