128 Residents Evacuated From Lakeland Assisted Living Center

LAKELAND, FL – After evacuating 128 residents and 30 employees of the Lake Morton Plaza senior living facility when a fire broke out, some of the residents may be permitted to return to their homes today.

The fire department received a call about a fire at the senior facility on Tuesday, June 26 at 12:42 a.m. Upon arriving at the 10-story building at 400 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, crews encountered heavy black smoke on the roof.

As crews battled the fire, residents were evacuated by other LFD firefighters, Lakeland Police and employees of the Lake Morton Plaza.

The fire was contained in approximately 15 to 20 minutes, however, the greater task was in evacuating the elderly residents of the facility.

As the smoke cooled and seeped into floors below, residents had to be evacuated due to the threat of smoke inhalation.

Two residents and two employees were transported to Lakeland Regional Health by Polk County Fire Rescue as a precaution but no life-threatening injuries were sustained.

Ninety residents were transported by bus to the RP Funding Center where they will remain until alternative accommodations are found by Lake Morton Plaza management or their apartments have been deemed safe.

Each floor of the building has been checked and cleared by fire department. Smoke was ventilated and five-gas monitors were used to ensure air quality was safe for eventual re-entry.

Due to the scale of the evacuation and another residential fire that occurred at the same time as this incident, mutual aid was provided by Polk County Fire Rescue and evacuation and traffic assistance was provided by the Lakeland Police Department.

Lakeland Fire Department fire investigators determined that the fire started in a roof-top electrical box and was accidental.

Photos via Lakeland Fire Department

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