ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — More than 250 people are safe after being evacuated from a St. Pete apartment fire.
St. Pete Fire Rescue said crews first responded at 9 p.m. Monday to a fire alarm and multiple 911 calls reporting smoke and fire at Lutheran Apartments on 1st Avenue South.
When firefighters arrived, they reported finding thick smoke and water accumulation in the lobby. The fire was traced to the electrical room on the first floor and spread to the second floor.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, which had been contained to the electrical rooms by the sprinkler system, but water and smoke damaged the first two floors.
As a result, the fire left the 16-story apartment without power or water.
While crews were battling the fire, residents on lower floors were evacuated while upper floor residents were told to shelter in place.
SPFR then began a 14-hour-long evacuation to ensure all the residents' safety.
Crews did a door-to-door sweep of the building's units to inform residents of the evacuation and began escorting them out. Firefighters and paramedics also assisted 35 individuals with mobility challenges, carrying them down multiple flights of stairs.
No residents were injured.
Officials coordinated with the city of St. Petersburg Housing and Neighborhood Services, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, Sunstar Paramedics, the American Red Cross and building management to arrange temporary housing at two local hotels for residents who need it.
"The professionalism and coordination demonstrated by our firefighters and paramedics were critical to the success of this operation," Fire Chief Keith Watts said in a statement. "From carrying residents down 16 flights of stairs to organizing transportation, our team's dedication exemplifies what it means to serve and protect our community."
