Smoking has been blamed for a fire that killed one man and injured three others in Lakeland Sunday morning.
In addition, officials have tentatively identified the man who died as John W. Connelly, 59. An autopsy will be performed Monday to confirm his identity, as officials say the extent of the burns he suffered has made it difficult to identify him.
The fire broke out shortly after 4 a.m. at Bella Vista Manor, an independent living facility. Fire investigators say the fire, which is being blamed on smoking, started in the bedroom of Connelly's unit.
Officials say a neighbor who lived in the unit next door pulled the fire alarm, which started the evacuation of the other 41 people who lived in the building and alerted emergency responders to the fire.
Three people were taken to Lakeland Regional Health for treatment of smoke inhalation. Their conditions are not known at this time.
Officials say Bella Vista Manor was built in 1971, which is prior to the implementation of Florida Fire Code that requires multi-family dwellings have sprinklers.
Fire inspectors noted the facility had construction features that were meant to limit fire spread, like concrete construction and fire-rated corridors and doors, officials say, adding that Bella Vista Manor doesn't have a history of fire code violations with the Lakeland Fire Department.
Officials say the location and intensity of the fire, the early-morning hours and the fact that most of the residents are older adults meant the fire had the "potential to be disastrous," but that the quick response by firefighters and police prevented the situation from being even worse than it could have been.