Broken Sprinkler Forces 7 From Lakeland Apartments

LAKELAND, FL — A Tuesday night snafu with a sprinkler head at Lakeland’s Wilmington Apartments has forced seven people out of their homes.

According to Polk County Fire Rescue, crews were called to an alarm in the 5500 block of Wilmington Circle around 5:30 p.m. Aug. 15. When they arrived, they found no flames or smoke coming from the three-story complex. Instead, officials say, “water from the sprinkler system was flowing” freely.

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Firefighters traced down the source of the problem, finding a sprinkler head that has been broken accidentally, an email from the agency said. Water to the building was shut off and a chute was created to “channel the water away from the apartments and to prevent further damage.”

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Despite their efforts, fire rescue said that four apartments were damaged by the water. Two homes suffered significant damage. All told, three adults and four children were displaced. The American Red Cross is assisting the affected families, the agency reported. Firefighters also helped them collect their belongings and secure their apartments.

No further information is available at this time.

Photos courtesy of Polk County Fire Rescue