Winter Haven Apartment Fire Displaces 5; Smoke Alarm Credited

A fire that started in one apartment at the Haven at Lake Deer complex in Winter Haven, Florida, on Sunday morning left five adults without a place to stay and damaged four units. No people or pets were hurt, and firefighters carried out a rescue of four kittens and a dog.

What happened

Winter Haven fire crews were dispatched to the complex on 24th Street at about 10:55 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18, according to reporting by WFTV and WTSP. Firefighters found heavy fire in a single apartment, moved neighbors out of adjacent units and brought the blaze under control in roughly 20 minutes.

Four apartments in total suffered fire, smoke or water damage.

Who was affected

Five adults were displaced. The American Red Cross is assisting them. Neither outlet reported any injuries to residents or firefighters.

Both stations reported that firefighters rescued four kittens and one dog from the building. Pets are often the hardest part of an emergency relocation, since many hotels and shelters limit animals, so displaced tenants with pets should say so when they first contact the Red Cross or the property manager.

Cause and investigation

Preliminary information from the fire department points to the laundry area of the apartment as where the fire began. The cause has not been determined and the investigation continues. Officials have not said whether the cause is considered accidental.

The smoke detector detail

Winter Haven Fire Chief Drew Neubrand highlighted a working smoke detector in the unit. Per WTSP, he said such alarms give people “critical seconds that can make all the difference.” WFTV reported the chief as saying the detector alerted the occupant and gave them time to evacuate safely. The two stations word his remarks slightly differently, but both credit the alarm.

What this means for renters

• Test your alarm. Press the test button monthly, and tell your landlord in writing if a detector is missing, chirping or not working. In most places keeping detectors working in rental units is a landlord duty.
• Know your exits. Fire in a laundry area can spread quickly to the rest of a unit. Plan two ways out and agree on a meeting spot.
• Document everything after a fire. Take photos of damage when you are allowed back in, keep receipts for hotel and food costs, and ask the Red Cross about help with immediate needs.
• Call your insurer. A renters insurance policy may cover temporary living costs and belongings. See our guide on renters insurance after a fire, and our first-72-hours checklist.
• Ask about your lease. Whether rent is owed on a damaged unit, and when you can return, depends on your lease and state law. Ask the property manager for written answers.

Residents of the other three affected units who need updates on repairs or return dates should contact the property management office and the Red Cross directly; officials had not published a timeline when this was written.