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Fire that killed mom, 2 children marks the third fire at same Town 'n' Country apartment complex

Captiva Club apartment building fire 2019
Posted at 4:54 PM, May 15, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-16 08:47:36-04

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. -- Ryan Hayes made it out OK, but his apartment in Town 'n' Country is one of several damaged by a fire that killed a mother and her two children early Wednesday morning.
 
“Enough is enough. The crazy thing is, I just renewed my lease two weeks ago. Has me on edge," Hayes said. "And uncertain about living here.”

RELATED: Mother, 2 children killed in two-alarm fire at apartment complex
 
In 2015, dozens lost their homes after a fire at this same complex, Captiva Club Apartments.
 
It spread through the attic. Everyone made it out ok thanks to a neighbor who went door to door.
 
Then just last year, another fire at Captiva Club.
 
Another good Samaritan helped make sure everyone got out.
 
One woman lost her apartment in both fires.
 
Hillsborough County code says new apartments with three or more units must have sprinkler systems. Twelve or more units need to have a fire alarm.

This complex is 25 years old and sprinklers are not required.

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“The fact that they’ve had three fires in three years they should do something to try and protect their units and the people that are living here," Hayes said.

Apartments are still required to have smoke detectors and draft stops to keep fires from spreading.

The Fire Marshall says this building had those.

We are still waiting to find out from officials about what caused this fire and the previous ones.

The management of Captiva Club Apartments released this statement:

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic event that occurred early this morning at Captiva Club Apartments. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victims.

At this time, the Hillsborough Fire Department has not yet determined the cause of the fire, but we are working closely with the authorities to ensure a complete and thorough investigation of the incident.

In the meantime, the safety and security of our residents remains our top priority. Our property management team is working diligently to ensure safety in the rest of the property and relocate residents whose apartments were damaged, or deemed unlivable, as a result of the fire to other vacant units. In all, there were eight total units affected by the fire out of 345 total units within the complex. All further inquiries should be directed to the local authorities at this time.”