A family of three is homeless today after a fire in an Orlando city apartment complex ravaged their apartment rental. At about 4:20 am Thursday morning the Orlando Fire Department was called to the Village at Rosemont Preserve, a complex of beautiful apartment buildings, according to the local Bright House Networks affiliate MyNews13.com.
Authorities have so far been unable to determine the cause of the fire, but they believe it might have started from the bedroom of the now homeless family’s apartment. While it’s unfair to accurately speculate at this time, it could have been something as simple as an improperly discarded cigarette, which is one of the leading causes of fire-related deaths.
When firefighters arrived on the scene they found flames spewing from their second-story window. Fortunately, they were able to contain and extinguish the fire in about 10 minutes and all three of the residents made it our safely. One was treated for smoke inhalation, but officials expect to be fine, according to the news source clickorlando.com.
In total four apartments were forced to evacuate, but the other three escaped major damage and residents were allowed to return. The American Red Cross is helping provide temporary relief and shelter for the displaced family.
It’s another sad reminder of the importance of smoke detectors and keeping them properly maintained. Every city apartment should have at least one. On top of regularly checking the battery life in them, they should be replaced altogether at least every 10 years.
City apartment living can be especially dangerous when it comes to fires because of the limited access and close quarter living arrangements. The quick response time and efficient rescue operation by the Orlando Fire Department likely saved multiple other units from suffering the same fate as the family in question.
It’s currently unknown if the family affected had an inventory of possessions, which could help with insurance claims, but it’s likely a toss-up considering 48% of those that rent an apartment reported not having such a list in one recent National Association of Insurance Commissioners survey.
