Fire at Winter Haven high-rise

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Forty residents of a Winter Haven retirement home had to be evacuated from their building when a fire broke out in a second story apartment Friday afternoon.

The fire broke out at Winter Haven Manor on Avenue A S.W., where about 125 retirees live.

Investigators say the fire broke out about 1:30 p.m. The sprinkler and alarm systems went off, and all the residents inside got out okay.

Firefighters did have to rescue one woman through a window, though.

Investigtaors say the resident in the apartment where the fire started was not home at the time.

They are working to find out what started the fire, and say the first and second stories of the building were heavily damaged.

Despite the chaotic situation, one resident said she remained calm.

"We've been through fire alarms before, but this was the first time there has been an actual fire," said Mary Anne Strickland, a 16-year resident at the Manor.