Four Kids among Six Injured in FL Apartment Fire
By Earle Kimel
Source Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Fla.
Nov. 8—BRADENTON — Two adults and four children were injured in an apartment fire that started late Saturday, shortly before midnight, at Aaron Lake Apartments, 4085 43rd Ave. W.
According to a news release from Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue, the fire was reported at 11:13 p.m. Saturday night and units responded within four minutes to find heavy smoke and fire already coming from the apartment complex.
Three fire engines, a ladder truck and a battalion chief responded from Cedar Hammock and were assisted by Manatee County EMS, as well as fire units from West Manatee, Southern Manatee and the city of Bradenton.
The two adults and four children were taken to local hospitals for treatment for "a variety of injuries." No other information on their condition was released.
None of the first responders were injured.
In all, residents in 16 units were displaced, Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Ryan French said Sunday.
Representatives of the American Red Cross of Southwest Florida responded to the fire scene early Sunday morning to aid the residents.
They returned again later Sunday to help residents who were not present at the time of the fire.
"We're trying to get them taken care of as best we can," French said.
Aaron Lake Apartments is a 100-unit rental community built in 1986 that features 48 one-bedroom and 52 two-bedroom units that range in size from 600 square feet to 950 square feet.
The complex is just north of Cortez Road West and was purchased in 2019 for $11.89 million by an affiliate of Carmel, Indiana-base Pedcor Companies.
For the most part, the apartments are arranged in two-story L-shaped structures, with eight apartments in each wing.
The Cedar Hammock release, attributed to Cedar Hammock Battalion Chief Billy Whitfield, estimated the damage at about $1 million.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined by the State Fire Marshal.
Eric Center, fire marshal for Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue, told WFLA TV, NewsChannel 8 that when firefighters arrived, there were flames through the windows and the roof.
In addition to the people injured, Center said firefighters rescued several puppies, two dogs and a cat.
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