Lawrence officer’s body cam shows effort made to evacuate a burning senior living facility
By: -----
Video shows the effort emergency responders made to ensure everyone living in a condo building safety escaped a fire.
A body camera worn by a responding Lawrence Police Officer recorded video as the officer ran toward Brandon Woods at Alvamar, a senior living facility that suffered extreme damage from a fire Monday afternoon.
Firefighters, police and EMTs responded to the Bella Sera Condominiums near Bob Billings Pkwy and Wakarusa Dr. around noon.
When emergency crews arrived, they said staff members were already working to evacuate more than 80 residents from the burning building.
Firefighters searched the building and found the fire in the attic. They battled the flames and smoke for more than two hours before getting it under control.
The 85 people who live in the building were taken to another building. The Red Cross and Douglas County Emergency Management are working on alternative housing for the residents.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.