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65 People Forced From Homes By Overnight Blaze In St. Pete

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By VALERIE KALFRIN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 9, 2008

About 65 people were displaced from a three-story apartment building in St. Petersburg this morning after a fire erupted in a nearby vacant building, fire officials said.

Firefighters turned off the power to the Bay Plaza, 419 3rd Ave. N., after the nearby fire extended into that building's attic, causing concern about electrical problems, St. Petersburg Fire Chief James Wimberly said. The building also has some water damage.

The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at the Trinity Lutheran Church on 5th Street North for the displaced residents, according to Melanie Koch, a spokesperson for the Red Cross. They expect to have about 45 people seeking temporary shelter at the chuch, she said. No one was injured.

Officials are investigating the cause of the nearby fire at the Biltmore Apartments at 435 3rd Ave. N., which has been vacant since at least last year, Wimberly said. Firefighters responded to the building about 3:09 a.m. and had the fire under control at about 4:46 a.m., he said.

The heavy smoke triggered smoke alarms at a hotel at 3rd Avenue North and 3rd Street North, but there was no damage to that building, Wimberly said.

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