A fire in a Lakeland independent living facility on Sunday, caused by smoking, killed one occupant and injured three others.
According to news releases from the Lakeland Fire Department, fire broke out in a bedroom of one of the Bella Vista Manor multi-unit structure early Sunday morning, forcing the evacuation of 41 residents from the 48-unit building.
The fire was determined to have started in the bedroom of the decedent’s unit on the fourth floor. The man killed in the blaze was tentatively identified as John W. Connelly, 59, but an autopsy was scheduled for Monday afternoon to positively identify the fatally injured victim who suffered extensive burns.
Two other victims were transported immediately when responders arrived on the scene and a third was transported about an hour later, complaining of possible smoke inhalation.
Bella Vista Manor was constructed in 1971 before Florida fire codes required multi-family dwellings to be equipped with sprinklers.
The building did, however, was built to prevent the spread of fire, such as concrete construction and fire-rated corridors and doors.
Lakeland Fire Department said that given the early morning hour the fire started and the fact it was occupied by older adults, who are some susceptible to fire deaths, the victim toll could have been much higher.
The fire department was on the scene within four minutes after receiving the fire alarm which was pulled by a the decedent’s neighbor.
The fire was already intense by the time firefighters arrived and residents were evacuated by both firefighters and police officers, while and an aggressive attack was launched to quickly contain the fire.
Residents of the structure were either sheltered in place, or moved to an adjoining building.
No other injuries were reported.
