False Alarms Routine At Texas Senior Complex
Where Fire Killed 5 senior citizens
SAN ANTONIO (January 4, 2014) Survivors of a fire at the Wedgwood
senior-living complex near San Antonio that killed five people say false alarms
were routine at the 11-story building.
The residents say they felt no urgency when they first
heard the fire alarm shortly after 6 a.m. on Dec. 28, the San Antonio
Express-News reported in a story published Sunday.
The five residents who died where in their 70s and 80s.
Three of them were on the third floor and two were on
the seventh floor.
At least 20 other residents were sent to hospitals.
A sixth resident died two days after the fire, but
officials haven’t confirmed that the fire contributed to her death.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The complex was built in 1965 and had no sprinkler
system.
Officials say the last fire inspection took place in September and that the building had no history of fires.
Officials say the last fire inspection took place in September and that the building had no history of fires.
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Five confirmed dead in fire at the wedgwood high-rise
senior complex IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
Updated: Sunday, December 28 2014, 11:07 AM CST By Gary
Cooper News 4 San Antonio Facebook SAN ANTONIO –
Five confirmed dead in a high-rise apartment fire in
Castle Hills on Sunday. At least 150 firefighters from various engine companies
around San Antonio were called to the three-alarm blaze at the Wedgwood Senior
Apartments located at 6701 Blanco Road in Castle Hills around 6:30 a.m.
Rescue efforts were particularly challenging because
many residents in the retirement complex have mobility and impairment issues.
At least 3 people were injured and taken to local
hospitals, one critically.
At least 75 residents had to be evacuated and taken to a
shelter at Churchill High School, 12049 Blanco Road.
Officials say the
entire third floor of the apartment complex was gutted.