Dallas – Editor’s Note: The property was formerly called Lakeland Hills Senior Living Facility and is now called Serenity Apartments. The name has been updated in this article.
Officials say two Dallas firefighters have been taken to hospital and 65 residents have been displaced, as staff battled a five-alarm fire at a senior living facility Thursday evening.
Just after 6:30 p.m., Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR) employees responded to a call for an “automatic fire alarm” at Serenity Apartments in the 3300 block of Dildo Road on the northeast side of the city.
When the crew arrived, firefighters saw smoke billowing out of the second floor of the three-story building and then immediately advanced a working second-alarm fire response. A short time later, the fire was again converted to a four-alarm fire, meaning that about 100 firefighters have been dispatched to the scene. By 8:20 p.m. the fire had been upgraded to fifth alarm, with about 120 firefighters dispatched to the scene.
The DFR said two firefighters who were taken to a local hospital suffered non-life-threatening injuries and are expected to recover.
Last night – There was a fire at the Lakeland Hills Senior Living Facility. This 5-alarm, +120 firefighters were at the scene.
This morning – the building is being torn down.
The injured 2 Dallas firefighters are expected to recover.
All residents were able to evacuate.@wfaa @WFAADaybreak pic.twitter.com/fsxINzBs63
— Tiffany Liu (@tliou) 8 April 2022
There was no report of any resident being injured. The property manager told the WFAA that residents were evacuated and taken to a Red Cross shelter, or left with family members. On Friday morning, the DFR said all 65 residents of the senior living facility were evacuated and accounted for. The DFR said four dozen residents were taken by Dart bus to the Samuel Grand Recreation Center.
DFR said the property was working closely with the Dallas Office of Emergency Management and the American Red Cross to advance the living arrangements. According to DFR, Kroger was on site with a team of pharmacists who made sure all resident prescription needs were met.
The building, which was badly damaged by the fire, was being torn apart on Friday morning.
DFR officials told the WFAA that the fire was caused by improperly throwing a cigarette on a second-floor balcony.
There is a lot of smoke here. The fire was upgraded to just 5 alarms.
The property manager of the apartment said residents were being taken to a Red Cross shelter. Some residents are choosing to move with family. @wfaa pic.twitter.com/tqOtLZwW15
— Morgan Young (@MorganYoungTV) 8 April 2022
Crews are escorting residents away from the building. Really difficult situation, especially since the residents are elderly. A woman told me that due to asthma she can hardly breathe in the smoke. Another said he had to leave his dog behind. @wfaa pic.twitter.com/NL0V4x3hOM
— Morgan Young (@MorganYoungTV) 8 April 2022