A community of seniors in Lakeland woke up to the smell of smoke and several homes on fire within their one-mile radius neighborhood.

What You Need To Know

  • Two homes caught fire Monday morning in a Lakeland neighborhood

  • Residents helped elderly neighbors escape

  • Officials have not found the cause of the fire

The aftermath of the fire left homes destroyed and neighbors worried about how the fire could have started.

“I smelled smoke around 3 a.m. this morning,” one said. “I heard the sirens not too long after that.”

The Lakeland Fire Department received a 911 call from a neighbor across the street around 7:30 a.m. 

“After we called 911, we ran over to help them,” Gloria Rivera said. “I don’t know them; I just moved here last month, but they needed help and that’s what we do here. We help each other.”

Rivera and her grandson were joined by another neighbor who helped people evacuate their homes.

“I’m just thankful someone helped,” James Bostic said. “My mom was in this house and, I don’t even recognize the house right now. I can’t believe she was in there.”

Two homes caught on fire, and both residents were elderly; Bostic’s mother also is not as mobile.

“She couldn’t see [through the smoke],” Bostic explained. “She was able to make her way to the door. As she made her way to the door, someone was at the door to assist her and make sure she got out.”

The American Red Cross Mid-Florida Chapter was notified of the fire and two disaster teams were sent to the area. Two homes caught fire, but residents of four homes needed assistance to be moved to another location.

Officials have not yet determined what sparked the fire.