MELBOURNE, Fla. – Melbourne Fire Department crews are evacuating portions of Trinity Towers East after reports of smoke on the first floor of the structure, Local 6 news partner Florida Today reports.
No injuries have been reported, officials said.
Recommended Videos
Police and fire personnel are escorting residents out of the building floor by floor.
According to a city spokeswoman, the fire is out but smoke remains a concern. Fire commanders are working to clear the building of smoke.
The Red Cross is on the way to aid in the evacuation and care for the mostly older residents of the landmark buildings.
About 50 firefighters are at the scene, with county paramedics walking through the crowded back lot looking for anyone needing help. The back area, located on the north side was shaded by the afternoon shadow of the building. The county also brought in several SCAT buses to provide air conditioning. Other workers passed out water.
Residents said smoke reached as far as the eighth floor. Several residents scrambled to get out with others going back to get pets.
"I took in a lot of smoke, " said a woman who only identified herself as Linda. She lives on the eighth floor and said she heard the blaring alarms. She quickly grabbed her cat Annabel and made it downstairs.
The call was reported about 2:05 p.m. Streets around the buildings remain closed to traffic.
This is the second fire in the Trinity Towers complex in a week. Last Tuesday, a small fire broke out and a small evacuation was ordered. That fire was attributed to some work being done in the building