Massive Fire Engulfs Woodbury Commons Apartments In Parma; Stumph Road Closed

PARMA, OH — A devastating fire broke out at the Woodbury Commons complex around 9:30 p.m. Friday, lighting up the night sky and sending thick plumes of smoke across the area. Parma Police and Fire departments, along with mutual aid from surrounding communities, responded to what was described as a “large” and extremely dangerous fire.

1. Defensive Operations and Building Collapse

The situation escalated quickly due to severe weather conditions:

• High Winds: Strong gusts made it difficult for crews to contain the flames, leading to a “fully involved” structure.
• Structural Failure: Scanner reports confirmed a partial collapse of the building, prompting fire chiefs to pull all firefighters out of the structure and switch to a defensive “surround and drown” strategy to protect neighboring buildings.
• Evacuations: Residents were urged to move back as officers cleared the immediate vicinity.

2. Community Response and Relief

As the fire raged, the local community stepped in to offer support for those likely to lose their homes:

• Insurance Assistance: Local State Farm agent Brenda Corchado posted an emergency alert, urging impacted customers to call the claims department (800-732-5246) immediately.
• Mutual Aid: Multiple fire units from across the Cleveland area were called in to assist Parma crews, highlighting the severity of the incident.

3. Visuals and Resident Accounts

Terrified residents and neighbors shared dramatic footage and photos on social media:

• “Right behind my house”: One neighbor filmed the massive orange glow visible from their backyard.
• Smoke Hazard: Commuters on W. 130th Street reported heavy, low-hanging smoke, leading to visibility issues on nearby roads.
• Stumph Road Closure: Police have shut down Stumph Road to allow heavy equipment and water tankers to access the scene.

Incident Summary: Parma Apartment Fire