GFR responds to fire at The Trails apartments

Press release from Gainesville Fire Rescue

Gainesville Fire Rescue (GFR) and units from Alachua County Fire Rescue responded to a reported multi-residential building fire at The Trails Apartments, 3230 SW Archer Rd., at approximately 11:15 p.m on Thursday, January 28.

The caller reported smoke inside their apartment on the second floor. All occupants were able to escape without injury. Gainesville Fire Rescue crews arrived on the scene, performed a quick search to ensure all persons had exited the structure, and found a smoldering fire inside the apartment on the first floor. GFR units E4, E2, and Q2 quickly extinguished the fire, which was contained to a small area in the center of the living room floor. However, crews remained on scene, checking in void spaces for fire extension. The homeowner and one dog were not in the apartment at the time of the fire. Due to the smell of smoke inside the apartment, the homeowner and dog will stay with a family member for the night. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Gainesville Fire Rescue would like to remind its citizens to check to ensure that all smoke detectors in their homes are working correctly. Also, if you are using portable home heating devices to heat your home this winter, please place them in a safe area and turn them off before going to bed at night.