Fire Rips Through Tampa Apartment Building

TAMPA, FL — A smoke alarm that rang out during the early morning hours Monday is getting credited for helping residents of Knollwood Manor apartments safely escape their burning building.

According to Tampa Fire Rescue, its crews were called to the 2900 block of Rockaway Court just after 5 a.m. When they arrived, they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the two-story, multi-unit brick apartment building. They also learned that everyone had safely evacuated the building.

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“One tenant said she was awoken by the sound of her smoke alarm,” a June 26 email from fire rescue said. “Other tenants spread the word to ensure everyone got out safely.”

The blaze ended up requiring a second alarm as fire destroyed the roof over at least 10 of the building’s 12 units, fire rescue said. The fire was brought under control by 7 a.m. with the damage contained to the single building.

While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, authorities say the blaze serves as a reminder of the importance for people to test their smoke alarms and replace them as necessary.

No further information about the fire is available at this time.

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Photo courtesy of Tampa Fire Rescue