GFR extinguishes fire at The 400 Apartments, rescues cat

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gainesville Fire  Rescue (GFR) units responded to a medium-rise residential building fire at The 400 Apartments (400 NW 1st Ave) at about 2:27 p.m. today. GFR successfully rescued a cat and treated a resident for smoke inhalation.

The incident prompted an immediate evacuation of the building. Firefighters from GFR stations 1, 3, and 5, along with support from Tower 2, Admin 303, 211, 102, ACFR Rescue 31, and Quint 23 quickly arrived on the scene to combat the flames and ensure the safety of the residents.

During the rescue operation, firefighters discovered a cat trapped inside the apartment where the fire started. The cat was removed from the fire and returned to its owner, and both owner and cat were evaluated for smoke inhalation. 

Incident Commander Adam Hinton said, “The quick response from the crews limited fire spread, allowing the crews to hold the fire in place, which played a vital role in containing the fire and ensuring the safety of the residents.”

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, and GFR will continue to work diligently to determine its origin.

GFR urges all residents to prioritize fire safety measures, including installation of smoke detectors, having an evacuation plan, and ensuring the proper use of electrical appliances.