Two Apartments Destroyed in Evening Blaze

Robert Connors

Two firefighters take a well-deserved hydration break wearing their heavy protective gear after battling flames at the Grove Manor fire Thursday evening.

Two families were left homeless Thursday evening after fire gutted their duplex unit on West Seminole Avenue in Lake Wales. The apartments are part of the Grove Manor public housing complex, which is scheduled for demolition over the coming three years.

Lake Wales firefighters and Polk County EMS units responded to a call shortly after 6 p.m. to find one unit heavily involved in the fire, which spread rapidly into the roof structure, Heavy smoke also caused additional damage to the two units involved.

The destroyed units are part of the planned Phase II of the demolition and replacement of the 120-unit Grove Manor public housing complex, which will be replaced by a mix of about 500 units of affordable homes and apartments. Since they are scheduled for eventual demolition, it appeared unlikely, according to an official who asked to remain anonymous, that they eill be be repaired and reoccupied.

Robert Connors

Smoke swirled around the neighborhood as firefighters battled the flames at a fire that left two families homeless Thursday evening.