Photo by Alan Olson Wheeling firefighters battle a blaze Tuesday afternoon at North Park Apartments. One person, who has not been identified, died in the fire and 37 others were left homeless from 22 apartments.

WHEELING — One person died and 37 others were left homeless after a fire broke out Tuesday afternoon at North Park Apartments on Eagle Court.

The fire started at about 4:15 p.m, according to Philip Stahl, public information officer for the Wheeling Police Department. Firefighters responded to a report of fire on the second floor.

Firefighters returned to the scene at about 8:30 p.m. after a 911 caller said the fire had rekindled. The building was already vacant after having been evacuated when the fire started earlier in the day.

The name of the deceased person had not been released as of late Tuesday.

The body will be sent to the West Virginia Medical Examiner’s Office for positive identification, according to Stahl.

No other injuries were reported, although three people had to be rescued from windows, he said.

Families stood evacuated from the North Park Apartments Building 1 as firefighters worked to extinguished the blaze. Flames left a large hole in the side of the building and exposed several rooms to the elements.

In all, 22 apartments were damaged. The building does have structural issues and no tenants were being permitted to re-enter the premises, Stahl said.

Fire crews still worked to put out hot spots from the fire more than 45 minutes after it was believed to have started.

The fire began in a second- or third-floor apartment in one of the back corners of the building. It burned through a floor and demolished a large portion of the wall, according to Stahl.

“It took them a good 25 minutes or so to get the hot spots put out,” Stahl said while still at the scene. “They’re still searching the building to see if anyone is inside. Obviously, this apartment building had a lot of people inside it. There’s a lot of logistics that we have to work out at this point.”

The cause of the fire is still unknown, Stahl said. However, he said later in the evening that a resident’s home oxygen equipment presented an additional challenge to those fighting the blaze.

Sharon Kesselring, executive director of the American Red Cross of Northwestern West Virginia, said the organization was providing assistance to four families who were displaced as a result of the fire.

“American Red Cross volunteers are on the scene and have identified those who have immediate need for shelter tonight,” Kesselring said around 7 p.m. Tuesday.

“Our team will reassess once total damage impact is determined.”

The Wheeling Fire Department’s Ladder 1, Rescue 1, Engine Co. 2, 4, 5 and Squad 1 responded.