Two hurt in fire at Bradenton assisted living center

BRADENTON — One resident and one staff member from the Windsor Oaks assisted living facility in Bradenton were injured early Sunday morning after a fire broke out in a room.

The resident suffered serious burns, and the staff member -- who pulled the resident to safety -- were being treated for smoke inhalation at Blake Medical Center in Bradenton, authorities said.

Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Sam Collier said a sprinkler system extinguished the fire and kept flames from spreading and contained to one room in the apartment complex at 2614 43rd St. W. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, he said.

A Windsor Oaks staff member had moved the resident to the doorway entrance by the time firefighters arrived on scene at 2:48 a.m. Sunday. Rescuers then transported the resident and Windsor Oaks staff member to Blake.

In a statement issued Sunday, the management of Windsor Oaks praised the actions of its employees.

"We are proud of all the associates who evacuated the residents to our Memory Care cottage prior to the emergency responders' arrival," the statement said. "We are extremely grateful for the heroic actions of one associate who, with no regard to her own safety, pulled the resident away from danger."

This story was originally published December 20, 2015 at 11:07 AM with the headline "Two hurt in fire at Bradenton assisted living center."