ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — People at the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort had to evacuate early Tuesday morning after a fire broke out.
Although the sheriff's office earlier said no one was hurt, St. Pete Beach Fire Chief James Kilpatrick said three people received minor injuries — no one was taken to the hospital, however.
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies and firefighters responded around 3 a.m. to a report of an active fire, according to an agency spokesperson.
The fire began on the 6th floor through an A/C unit on the north side of the property, the resort's managing director, Bob LaCasse, said in a statement. Crews secured the Bluegreen timeshare building and searched it room-by-room, he added.
"A portion of the building will remain closed at this time and we are working diligently to relocate those resort guests. We are thankful to our staff and the local authorities who acted swiftly to ensure the safety of everyone involved," LaCasse said.
The fire wasn't "suspicious in nature," the sheriff's office added.