An early morning fire on Dec. 26 forced residents from Saxony Apartments, 305 N. Frances St. The Madison Fire Department rescued four residents from upper floors, and no injuries were sustained.

A resident reported the fire, which mostly affected the lobby area, at 4:20 a.m. No cause has been established, but sources suspect the fire may have been set intentionally.

After a brief eviction, residents were allowed to return to their apartments to gather their belongings before the building was closed until Jan. 18.

“All the students moved out and we are moving them back in on the 18th. They did get one month’s free rent for their inconvenience,” Mary Gomaz, Saxony manager said. “We have worked very hard to get them back in time for school.”

The building houses mainly international UW-Madison students — most of which were away for the semester break. Madison Fire Department Public Information Officer Bernadette Galvez said in the incident report it was opportune the fire occurred while most tenants were away.

“We are fortunate that the University is on holiday break,” Galvez said. “There were 23 people displaced during the fire.”

It can be assumed this number would have risen greatly had the fire occurred during the semester.

The fire started in the first floor lobby, and smoke quickly engulfed the building. The entire building and its contents were contaminated with smoke and soot.

Saxony is responsible for cleaning and maintaining the building; however, residents’ belongings are not the responsibility of the landlord. Renters insurance is necessary to cover the cost of any damage to residents’ belongings.

Gomaz said most residents had renters insurance. Many homeowners’ insurance policies contain an automatic provision that provides student renters who are still dependents of their parents with renters insurance.

“It is $90 a year for renters insurance, and it would have replaced everything they owned, many students are covered under their parents,” Gomaz said. “It’s cheap insurance, and it’s just not something kids think about.”

After professional companies cleaned the building, it was ready for students to return for the first day of classes.

“Everything is up and running; everything is cleaned. The building is in great shape,” Gomaz said.