MARGATE, Fla. – A fire prompted an evacuation on Sunday at the Coral Plaza, an assisted living and memory care community in Margate, and Local 10 News is now learning what may have caused it.
Firefighters responded to a residential unit at 5850 Margate Blvd., and paramedics took four people to a nearby hospital.
Three of the four had been released by Sunday evening while one remains hospitalized as of Monday afternoon. Authorities said all of the victims are expected to make a full recovery.
A Local 10 News crew spoke with residents of the assisted living facility who claimed that one of their own may have started the fire by smoking.
The community with over 125 residents has a specialized area for patients with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Coconut Creek and North Lauderdale fire rescue personnel also responded to assist the Margate Fire Department.
Margate police officers were also at the scene that fire rescue personnel described as a “High Hazard Structure Fire.”
Authorities have not confirmed how the fire started as the cause of the fire remains under investigation.