Misplaced Screw Or Nail Blamed For Lakeland Apartment Fire

LAKELAND, FL -- A misplaced screw or nail has been blamed for the stubborn fire that raged for more than three hours Monday at the Arbor Glen Apartments. The blaze displaced all of the residents of the apartment building's 24 units.

"The fire was determined to be accidental in nature, caused by a misplaced screw or nail, through electrical wiring," explained Janel Vasallo of the Lakeland Fire Department.

The wiring degraded over time making the conditions right for the structure to catch fire. The complex is located at 4950 Deep Forest Court in Lakeland.

"The fire began in the ceiling, above the breezeway between third-story apartments located on the south side of the building," Vasallo explained.

Vasallo said first responders had to make "forceful entry" into some apartments during the evacuation. No one was injured during the fire, which started around 5:30 p.m. and was contained around 8:45 p.m.

"During the fire investigation, units that were safe to reenter were investigated and a total of four cats were reunited with their owners," said Vasallo. "All but one of the pets in the building have been accounted for."

First responders determined that the north side of the building was not structurally sound. As a result, residents were not permitted to retrieve their possessions from apartments on that side of the building.

The American Red Cross has been helping displaced residents of the apartment complex, which is owned by by Greystar.

The Lakeland Fire Department received emergency assistance from Polk County Fire Rescue under a mutual aid agreement.

Watch below as first responders attempt to gain control of the blaze: