Berkeley woman critical after fire at senior living complex
Paramedics took her to Highland Hospital. Her dog appears to have escaped injury.
A woman in her 80s was taken to Highland Hospital in critical condition after a fire in her apartment Sunday night, authorities report.
The woman's dog managed to escape injury and was being cared for by a neighbor, the Berkeley Fire Department said.
Firefighters were initially dispatched to Redwood Gardens Apartments, at 2951 Derby St., just after 4:40 p.m. for a possible structure fire.
When they got there, they found smoke in the hallway, said Battalion Chief Brian Harryman.
When they found the apartment where the fire had been, building sprinklers had already doused the flames, " but there was extensive smoke damage and water damage," Harryman said.
The apartment resident, a woman in her 80s, had apparent smoke inhalation and respiratory burns.
Paramedics treated her at the scene then transported her to Highland Hospital.
During the fire response, some of the residents were evacuated from the building while others sheltered in place in the community room, said Harryman.
As of about 5:40 p.m., crews were winding down the cleanup operation.
None of the residents aside from the injured woman were expected to be displaced, said Harryman, whose last day on the job was Sunday after 27 years with the Berkeley Fire Department.
Redwood Gardens is among Berkeley's largest senior living facilities, with more than 100 residents, BFD estimated.
As of publication time, a fire investigator had been dispatched to the scene to determine the potential cause of the fire.
