Fire out, but condo tower unlivable for now

[Laura Chapin, Special to the Times]

TREASURE ISLAND -- The call came in at 3:54 p.m. today as a kitchen fire on the fourth floor of the Blind Pass Lagoon condominium tower overlooking Boca Ciega Bay.

Firefighters weren't even on scene yet they when called in the second alarm, according to Treasure Island fire Chief Charles Fant. That's how much black smoke was already billowing out of the building.

By the time firefighters from seven agencies had contained and then extinguished the apartment fire at 9825 Harrell Ave. 30 minutes later, it was a three-alarm fire with 22 units on scene from Treasure Island, St. Pete Beach, South Pasadena, Madeira Beach, Gulfport and St. Petersburg.

No injuries were reported, but the 14-unit, five-story tower is unlivable tonight. Apartment 402 is a total loss, and water damaged some units on the third floor below. Power and water had to be cut off. There were 13 residents in all who had to be evacuated, but the Red Cross is here to help the handful who need lodging tonight.

Firefighters accomplished their most important task: to keep the fire from spreading to other units. It wasn't easy, the chief reported, especially with the sliding glass doors in the rear of the apartment open, fanning the smoke in the front of the building.

"Every time the guys tried to get in there," Fant said, "they got thick black smoke blowing at them."

Firefighters haven't had a chance to examine the scene for a cause of the fire. The investigation will continue in daylight on Tuesday.

Jamal Thalji, Times Staff Writer

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