Overnight fire destoys one apartment, damages others

CARROLLWOOD -- One apartment was destroyed and several other damaged in an apartment complex fire early this morning, county fire crews said.

Officials said flames erupted around 1 a.m. at a residence at the Marbrisa Apartments, located just off Gunn Highway between Anderson Road and Linebaugh Avenue.

One apartment dweller awoke to hear "popping noises" coming from her balcony, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue spokesman Capt. Bruce Delk said in a statement. That woman woke her husband and the pair escaped their burning apartment.

Neighbors at the complex were roused by smoke alarms. They banded together, knocking on doors to make sure all the other occupied apartments at the complex were evacuated, Delk said.

Authorities said the couple's apartment and eight surrounding apartments were damaged in the fire. Displaced residents are being helped by the Red Cross.

Two injuries were reported -- a non-life threatening injury to a resident and a minor injury to firefighter. Damage estimates were not immediately available.

Casey Cora, Times staff writer