Escambia County Apartment Fire Displaces 37 People, Destroys 16 Units

July 16, 2021

About three dozen people were left without a home after fire ripped through an Escambia County apartment complex overnight.

The three-alarm fire was reported about 12:18 a.m. at the Peachtree Commons Apartments on Twin Oak Drive, off New Warrington Road.

All 16 apartments in one building were damaged, displacing 37 occupants, according to Escambia County. No occupants were injured, but two firefighters were treated on scene and released. One was related to heat stress and fatigue and the other was struck by falling ceiling debris. One at was located and rescued during the search.

“Smoke alarms were present and operated allowing most residents to self-evacuate,” said Escambia County spokesperson Laura Coale.

The American Red Cross is assisting, and the Florida Bureau of Fire and Arson was called in to investigate the cause.

“Upon arrival, heavy smoke and flames were visible from the second story end unit of a two-story wood frame apartment. The fire was already in the attic and void space of three additional units upon arrival. Firefighters had the fire under control at 4:28 a.m. The total scene time for the first alarm assignment was nearly six hours,” Coale said.

“Initial companies arrived within five minutes of the initial dispatch, crews and performed a rapid interior fire attack and search. Advanced fire conditions and challenges with the building construction (double roof and numerous voids) caused the initial quick knockdown and progress to be lost eventually causing heavy fire damage to the entire 2nd floor with significant water damage to the entire first floor. Rapid search and evacuation procedures prevented any civilian injuries, and crews spent a great deal of time during overhaul salvaging and returning important items to the occupants,” according to Escambia County.

Comments

3 Responses to “Escambia County Apartment Fire Displaces 37 People, Destroys 16 Units”

  1. Dave Coleson on July 19th, 2021 10:54 am

    CDPJR:

    They do the job that I am too chicken to do. I am too scared to be a police officer, correction officer, firefighter, EMT or first responder you listed.

    Many people are too afraid. These men and women are not afraid to answer the call. Anytime I see some one trashing first responders I bet that person would be too scared just like me. They also probably call police often in Hope’s the police will solve all their problems, which everyone knows that cannot and that’s not their job.

    Many people who trash the police are the ones that call police the most for help because they are not intelligent enough to figure out simple problems and want government to do it for them.

    Also, I’ve learned that many people who bash police are actually informants. I’ve been to many marches, many protests, church gatherings, community gatherings and events to merely observe and many use it as a guise as they dont want their cover blown because they are working for the government providing information on criminal activity. You’d be suprised who will call crimestoppers and get that easy 2,000 dollar reward to sink someone else. The streets usually talk. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. My neighbors who hate police, call 911 once or twice a month, consistently for help. It doesn’t make any sense. Society is devolving before my very eyes.

  2. CDPJR on July 17th, 2021 6:06 am

    Mr. Coleson,
    Very well said. Just like the Police and other first responders like EMS, hazmat teams and even the bomb squad personnel. Put their lives at risk to keep ours safe and most don’t even care or realize what they do for the public.
    Hats off and prayers for them all.

  3. Dave Coleson on July 16th, 2021 10:58 pm

    The firefighters worked relentlessly to help put this fire out.

    You do not see their faces or names as they work to save what’s left while putting themselves in harms way. They are often injured or even killed in fires. They see carnage and despair often and they continue to answer the call. High stress, high risk, they go into the fire risking life and limb for us!!!!!

    Thank you to the firefighters!!!!!!!!!!! God bless!!!