Two firefighters were injured and 53 residents were displaced by a fire Wednesday morning at an Orlando apartment complex.
The Orlando Fire Department was called to the Twelve Oaks apartment complex on Oakbend Street near Kirkman and Conroy roads shortly before 4 a.m.
Officials said a firefighter suffered first and second-degree burns to her upper body and a fire lieutenant hurt his neck when a portion of the roof collapsed.
A resident just gave me this video of flames at the apartment complex where two firefighters were in injured in Orlando. pic.twitter.com/vLNudpcs8M
— Ty Russell (@TRussellCBS4) March 7, 2018
They were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center to be treated and are expected to be OK.
All the residents escaped without injury, including James Brady who stood barefoot outside as he watched the building burn.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Raw: Fire at Twelve Oaks apartment
“Everybody was just outside and we made sure a couple people were knocking on doors, making sure everybody was out,” Brady said. “Everybody got out safe.”
Another resident said he woke up to the fire alarm going off and quickly realized the fire extinguisher in his apartment would do nothing to stop the raging flames.
Fourteen units in the building were damaged. Firefighters said it’s an older building that doesn’t have any sprinklers.
Injury updates:
— Ty Russell (@TRussellCBS4) March 7, 2018
firefighter: burned when there was an area that burst into flames.
Lieutenant: neck injury during a partial roof collapse
Both at ORMC. (Pic from a resident). pic.twitter.com/qya4JUFAkG
State law not requires new construction to have fire sprinklers for buildings with three floors or higher.
The Red Cross is helping displaced families.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Raw: Fire chief describes firefighters' injuries
Cox Media Group
