A devastating fire tore through Manchester Apartments, a 51-unit transitional housing facility operated by Helping Veterans and Families of Indiana (HVAF). The fire began in the attic of the South Tower, where old electrical wiring was identified as the cause. Flames consumed the roof and severely damaged the building’s interior, while firefighting efforts sent large volumes of water into the North Tower, leaving extensive damage across multiple floors.
The fire displaced all 48 veterans living at the property. HVAF staff worked through the night to account for residents and arrange temporary hotel accommodations, while the loss of their homes disrupted a critical source of stability and support. The damage extended beyond the buildings themselves: Manchester Apartments was HVAF’s largest housing property, providing veterans with shelter and access to services that support their path toward self-sufficiency.
The two towers presented very different recovery needs. The North Tower sustained extensive water and smoke damage but remained a candidate for restoration. The South Tower suffered catastrophic fire damage, including roof collapse, structural concerns, and widespread debris. Both buildings also presented environmental challenges, and the property’s historic character added complexity to the recovery. HVAF needed a coordinated response to stabilize the site, restore housing as quickly as possible, and rebuild the damaged space to better serve veterans.
The immediate priority was to return veterans to safe housing without waiting for the entire property to be reconstructed. HVAF needed to recover from a major disruption while continuing to provide services to a vulnerable population. The project therefore required a phased approach that could reopen the less-damaged tower while planning a more extensive reconstruction of the other.
The South Tower presented the greatest technical challenges. With the roof destroyed and interior materials burned, saturated, or collapsed, crews faced extensive demolition, smoke contamination, mold, and asbestos concerns. Structural instability also complicated the work. A major wall required careful reconstruction in sections to maintain safety, adding time and coordination to an already complex project.
The buildings’ age created another layer of difficulty. Manchester Apartments occupies a historic property dating to the early 20th century, with original plaster walls reinforced with rebar rather than conventional drywall and wood studs. Repairs had to account for irregular surfaces and historic materials, while exterior changes required review and approval from historic preservation authorities. Winter weather, the open roof, and the busy downtown location further complicated safe demolition, deliveries, and reconstruction.
HVAF’s objectives extended beyond returning the property to its previous condition. The organization wanted to restore housing quickly, improve safety, and make better use of the South Tower’s interior. Reconfiguring the layout offered an opportunity to increase housing capacity, introduce accessible units, and expand the food, clothing, and hygiene pantry to meet growing community needs.
CRC coordinated the recovery with HVAF, its insurance provider, and the project’s design partners. The teams established priorities, began stabilization and mitigation, and advanced planning for the South Tower while restoration work moved forward in the North Tower. This sequence allowed immediate housing needs to remain central to the project without losing sight of the larger opportunity to improve the property.
The North Tower became the first priority for restoration because its damage was less severe and it could return to service sooner. Firefighting water had traveled down through the building, damaging walls, flooring, cabinetry, and personal property. Crews removed damaged materials, addressed environmental concerns, dried the structure, and replaced interior finishes.
Opening the walls and ceilings also revealed opportunities to improve safety. CRC coordinated the replacement of electrical breaker panels in each unit and the installation of draft stops between units to help limit the spread of fire. These upgrades addressed deficiencies discovered during restoration rather than simply replacing damaged finishes.
The team completed the North Tower restoration in approximately four months, allowing HVAF to resume housing veterans while reconstruction continued in the South Tower.
The South Tower required a much more extensive intervention. CRC demolished damaged interior materials, addressed asbestos and mold, treated framing to eliminate smoke odor, and used desiccant drying equipment to control moisture. Temporary framing and roofing protected the structure while architectural plans, permitting, and reconstruction moved forward.
Structural repairs demanded particular care. After fire damage compromised the wall, crews rebuilt it in controlled sections to maintain stability. CRC also worked with historic preservation authorities to secure approval for materials and exterior details, including roofing and other features that needed to complement the building’s historic appearance. Inside, the team developed practical solutions for installing new finishes against the building’s irregular, historic surfaces.
As plans developed, HVAF and its design partners chose to rethink the floor plan rather than simply restore the former layout. The redesigned South Tower increased capacity from 23 units to 42, adding 14 units beyond the original building’s 28-bed configuration. Five accessible units expanded HVAF’s ability to accommodate veterans with disabilities.
The project also created a larger, more functional pantry with additional storage to support HVAF’s food, clothing, and hygiene assistance programs. The revised layout made better use of previously underutilized space and aligned the reconstruction with HVAF’s long-term service priorities.
Throughout the project, CRC maintained site-specific safety procedures to protect construction crews and HVAF personnel working in adjacent facilities. Regular coordination with HVAF helped keep decisions moving, align construction with operational needs, and balance restoration requirements with the organization’s broader vision.
The phased recovery transformed Manchester Apartments from a severely damaged property into a more functional and accessible resource for veterans. The North Tower returned to service in approximately four months, restoring 19 units and 23 beds while providing important electrical and fire-safety upgrades. The South Tower’s reconstruction expanded its capacity from 23 units to 42, added five accessible units, modernized the living spaces, and created a larger pantry to better support veterans and others experiencing food insecurity.
The completed project preserved the historic character of the property while addressing significant fire, smoke, water, and environmental damage. More importantly, the reconstruction gave HVAF an opportunity to strengthen its long-term mission: providing housing and practical support that help veterans move toward stability and self-sufficiency.
For HVAF, the outcome represents more than a repaired building. It is a chance to serve more veterans, better accommodate those with disabilities, and provide greater access to essential resources. What began as a devastating loss became an opportunity to rethink the space and expand its impact.
Facing fire-related property damage and need assistance? Call CRC at 855-584-7887.
Listen to past episodes of HVAF’s Roger That podcast featuring Olen Harston, CRC’s Director of Construction, alongside HVAF leadership. They discuss the Manchester Apartments reconstruction, project milestones, and the community effort to restore housing for veterans.
Forged by Fire: An Update on Manchester Apartments | July 24, 2026 - Listen to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4YF4vwN7sbKje3XNJylPmE?si=2qXoMRUrQxqoxGNI7hkdoA
Manchester Apartment Update | June 10, 2025 - Listen to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/76djY8NNYHut08dEQysEqD?si=IuLIFXgrTJmJ3x3OnQJP2A