ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – More than 250 residents of the Lutheran Apartments in downtown St. Petersburg were safely evacuated Tuesday following an electrical room fire that left the 16-story building without power and water.
The evacuation, which lasted nearly 14 hours, involved significant coordination to assist residents, many of whom had mobility issues.
The incident began around 9:00 p.m. Monday when St. Petersburg Fire Rescue (SPFR) responded to a fire alarm and multiple 911 calls reporting smoke and fire at the apartment building, located at 550 1st Avenue S. Firefighters arriving at the scene encountered heavy smoke and water accumulation in the lobby. The source of the fire was traced to the building’s first-floor electrical room, which had spread to the second floor.
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While the building’s sprinkler system contained the fire to the electrical rooms, the resulting smoke and water caused damage to the first two floors and rendered the building uninhabitable due to the loss of utilities. Residents on the lower floors were immediately evacuated, while those on the upper floors were initially instructed to shelter in place.
On Tuesday, 24 SPFR firefighters conducted a door-to-door sweep of all 215 occupied units to inform residents of the mandatory evacuation. Firefighters and paramedics played a crucial role in assisting 35 residents with mobility challenges, carrying them down multiple flights of stairs.
SPFR coordinated with various agencies, including the City of St. Petersburg Housing and Neighborhood Services, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), Sunstar Paramedics, the American Red Cross, and building management, to provide temporary shelter at two local hotels for residents without other options. Firefighters assisted 82 residents in boarding buses for transportation to the hotels, while other residents arranged their own transportation.
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“The professionalism and coordination demonstrated by our firefighters and paramedics were critical to the success of this operation,” said Fire Chief Keith Watts. “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.”
Chief Watts also praised the collaborative efforts of all involved agencies. “This evacuation is a testament to the power of teamwork and coordination during emergencies. Everyone involved played an essential role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents,” he added.
SPFR emphasized its commitment to community safety during times of crisis, noting that all residents were safely evacuated without any injuries.
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