BSO FIRE RESCUE-POMPANO, BOCA AND LIGHTHOUSE POINT BATTLE HI RISE DEERFIELD BEACH FIRE

Shortly before 5pm, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue received a call for a commercial structure fire located at the Ocean Club in the City of Deerfield Beach at 500 SE 21 Ave.

First arriving units advised of smoke visible from the 6th floor. Numerous residents reported smoke throughout much the building’s seven floors.

Fire companies began searching the building and located active fire burning in apartment 610. After forcing entry into apartment 610, firefighters performed a very aggressive fire attack and extinguished the small blaze, but not before the fire had spread to an adjacent apartment on the 7th floor. Additional resources were utilized to extinguish that small fire.

‘High rise fires are always a challenge. Supplying water to upper floors can pose problems. Oftentimes an exorbitant number of resources are very often required to carry and stage heavy equipment and supplies on multiple floors to support firefighting efforts, evacuations and patient care.’

The fire scene was brought under control after about 45 minutes and a fire out was issued at about 60 minutes.

In all, about 60 firefighters responded to the fire including units from Pompano Beach, Lighthouse Point and Boca Raton.

Six residents were displaced and are being assisted by the Red Cross. 

No injuries or casualties were reported.

The buildings manager indicated that contractors had been performing work in the apartment earlier in the day. The State Fire Marshal will investigate to determine if this may have contributed to the fire’s origin.

Photo Credit: John Williamson/BSFR