> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://tampa-bay-disaster-preparedness-news.ghost.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Oldsmar apartment fire displaces 7 families. Here’s how to protect your home and prepare for a fire. - URL: https://tampa-bay-disaster-preparedness-news.ghost.io/oldsmar-apartment-fire-displaces-7-families-heres-how-to-protect-your-home-and-prepare-for-a-fire/ - Published: 2026-08-09T22:26:58.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-09T22:34:21.000Z - Description: A Sunday morning attic fire forced seven families from their homes. The Oldsmar incident is a reminder that a fire can happen to anyone and having working alarms, an escape plan and essential documents ready can help protect lives and make recovery easier. - Author: Chris Thomas - Tags: large-fires-and-explosions, News Seven families are out of their homes after a fire spread through the attic of an Oldsmar apartment building Sunday morning. Firefighters were called to the Aventine at Forest Lakes Apartment Homes in the 3000 block of Old Village Way shortly before 8:50 a.m. Oldsmar Fire Chief Jason Schwabe said crews arrived to find **fire burning in the attic and partially through the roof** of the two-story building. Firefighters from Oldsmar, East Lake, Safety Harbor, Palm Harbor and Clearwater responded. Fortunately, no residents or firefighters were injured. Seven families were displaced, along with two dogs and three cats. Property management and the American Red Cross are assisting those affected. The cause remains under investigation. ### A fire can happen to anyone You don't have to live in an area prone to hurricanes, floods or wildfires to experience a disaster. A residential fire can develop quickly, leaving families with only minutes, and sometimes seconds, to get outside. In an apartment building, a fire that begins in one unit or shared part of the structure can also affect neighboring homes. That's why **home fire preparedness should be part of every Tampa Bay household's emergency plan.** ### Prepare before you smell smoke Start with working smoke alarms. Test them regularly and make sure alarms can be heard from sleeping areas. Every household should also have an escape plan. Know **at least two ways out when possible**, decide where everyone will meet outside and practice the plan with children and other family members. If you live in an apartment, learn where stairwells and emergency exits are located. Never rely on an elevator during a fire. And once you're safely outside, **stay outside.** Don't go back inside for belongings or pets. Tell firefighters if someone or an animal may still be inside. ### Protecting property and preparing for recovery Fire resilience isn't only about escaping safely. Think about what your family would need if you suddenly couldn't return home. Keep important documents, insurance information, medication lists and emergency contacts somewhere you can access them away from the property, such as secure digital copies. Renters should consider renters insurance and understand what their policy covers. Include pets in the plan, too. Keep carriers, leashes and essential supplies somewhere accessible so you aren't trying to find them during an emergency. ### Bottom line Sunday's Oldsmar fire ended without reported injuries, but seven families were suddenly displaced from their homes. It's a reminder of why preparedness matters even on an ordinary day. Test your smoke alarms. Know how you'll get out. Have a meeting place. Protect important documents. And make sure everyone in your household knows the plan before an alarm ever sounds.