4 Tampa Apartments Destroyed In Early Morning Fire

TAMPA, FL — Nine people are receiving help from the Red Cross after an early morning fire destroyed their apartment units over the weekend.

According to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, the fire happened at the Del Rio Apartments at 6603 N. 50th St. in Tampa. Crews were called to the scene around 5:30 a.m. Sunday.

A caller had dialed 911 to report that flames were coming from the roof, firefighters said.

Crews said they arrived on the scene to find flames and smoke isolated to a building with four units. As firefighters extinguished the flames, others searched the building to make sure no residents were inside.

Originally around 4 a.m., firefighters said a resident heard a pop and saw flames in his light-fan combination unit in the bathroom. He extinguished the fire with water and went to bed. Not long after, his smoke alarms woke him, and he saw smoke coming from the ceiling vents and evacuated.

Ultimately, all four apartments units in building No. 6603 were deemed "a total loss," firefighters said.

There were no reports of any injuries.

The American Red Cross of Central Florida was contacted and is assisting nearly a dozen people, including several children, with shelter, food and clothing.

Video of the fire at Del Rio Apartments: