UPDATED: Fire Crews Rescue Resident From 14-Story Grundy Tower

UPDATED: 3:02 p.m., Tuesday:

Bristol Borough Fire Chief Herb Slack released more information on the fire Tuesday afternoon.

The chief said borough firefighters were called for an alarm system at Grundy Tower at 6:31 p.m. Monday. The call was then upgraded after 9-1-1 received word there was a smell of smoke on the seventh floor.

Firefighters had a problem entering the seventh-floor apartment where the fire was and found the resident on the floor against the apartment door.

Authorities said the resident – an 85-year-old man – was taken by the Bucks County Rescue Squad to Lower Bucks Hospital for observation.

“The fire originated as a result of cooking on the stove top,” Slack said.

The blaze extended into the wooden cabinets in the kitchen, causing damage to the cabinets and countertop in the unit, Slack said.

The automatic fire sprinkler system in the 14-story senior apartment building quickly stopped the blaze, the chief said.

The sprinklers caused water damage on floors one through seven.

Grundy Tower had its sprinkler system retrofitted in 2008. Monday was is the first fire where the system was activated.

“Without the automatic fire sprinkler system, this fire would have caused significantly more damage to the apartment and the building and possibly fatal to the resident. The firefighters rescued the resident, the fire sprinklers saved his life,” Slack said.

Police said borough officials and the American Red Cross aided senior citizens impacted. They said some were able to return to their units and others stayed with family.

All of Bristol Borough’s fire company responded along with the Croydon, Edgely, and Third District fire companies.

UPDATED: 8:57 a.m., Tuesday:

Some residents were displaced and some relocated to be with family after a fire Tuesday evening at Grundy Tower in Bristol Borough.

Around 6:30 p.m. Monday, fire crews were called to the 14-story senior housing high-rise on Pond Street in Bristol Borough around for a fire alarm. Within minutes, additional fire trucks were dispatched for an active fire on the seventh floor.

The fire was put down quickly and some of the building’s sprinkler system activated, according to early reports from the scene.

In a statement, borough police said firefighters forced entry into an apartment and rescued a 85-year-old man who was inside.

The man was treated by the Bucks County Rescue Squad and transported to Lower Bucks Hospital for observation, police said.

“The buildings fire suppression system activated and kept the fire in check until firefighters extinguished  the remaining fire. Smoke and water damage was reported to multiple apartments within the building,” the police department said in a statement.

Residents of the Bucks County Housing Authority senior living building were taken to the community room during the fire, police said.

Authorities didn’t release how many residents were impacted, but they said most residents returned to their apartments and some went to stay with family members.

Bristol Borough Emergency Management officials and the American Red Cross were at the scene and assisted residents.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

The call drew firefighters from around the area who assisted Bristol Borough crews.

Original Story:

Fire crews from around the Levittown area responded to Bucks County Housing Authority-owned Grundy Tower Monday evening.

Firefighters were dispatched to the 14-story senior living building on Pond Street in Bristol Borough around 6:30 p.m. for a fire alarm. Minutes later, more fire trucks were called for a reported fire in the building.

Fire crews, medics, and police were at the scene late into the evening. Bystanders said a number of residents were spotted outside of the building.

Early word was no serious injuries and that the fire was quickly put down.

As of 10 p.m. Monday, officials were not immediately available for comment.

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