Over 70 Lake Mary apartments deemed 'unsafe' over building safety concerns: Officials

Over 70 Lake Mary apartments 'unsafe' for occupancy

The Seminole County Fire Department reported on March 24 that 72 apartment units at the Pebble Creek apartments – located at 780 Creekwater Terrace – are not safe to live in. Of the 72 identified units, 48 were unoccupied. Residents living in the remainder of the affected units were relocated to available apartments within the complex, the fire department reported. 

LAKE MARY, Fla. - Update (3/25): Seminole County is clarifying some of the numbers initially provided regarding the evacuations at the Pebble Creek at Lake Mary apartment complex. Officials said roughly 60 apartments were occupied, while roughly 10 were vacant.

Officials said there was a fire at the complex on Feb. 27 after some materials caught fire while repairing a stairwell. Smoke from that fire impacted several units and required walls to be opened. Reviews of the damage "raised broader safety concerns about the building."

Original story

Over 70 apartment units at the Pebble Creek at Lake Mary apartment complex are now identified as unsafe for occupancy following a fire in February. 

The Seminole County Fire Department reported on March 24 that 72 apartment units at the Pebble Creek apartments – located at 780 Creekwater Terrace – are not safe to live in. Of the 72 identified units, 48 were unoccupied. Residents living in the remainder of the affected units were relocated to available apartments within the complex, the fire department reported. 

What we know:

According to Seminole County, there was a fire at the complex on Feb. 27, 2026. Construction crews were conducting repair work on a stairwell when some of those materials caught fire.

Officials said smoke from the fire impacted multiple units, which required fire crews to open parts of the building to ensure that the fire didn't spread. During that review, officials noticed several "deficiencies" and determined that their were "broader safety concerns" regarding the building.

What they're saying:

"This action follows a February 27 fire during stairwell repair work, when materials inside a wall caught fire. The incident caused smoke to impact multiple units and required Seminole County Fire Department crews to open parts of the building to ensure the fire had not spread. A follow-up review raised broader safety concerns about the building.

Based on a joint assessment by the County’s Building and Code Enforcement Divisions, deficiencies were identified related to egress and overall life safety, including stairwell conditions and other structural elements. As a result, 72 units have been deemed unsafe for occupancy and have been required to be vacated. Of those, 48 units were unoccupied at the time. The complex includes 472 units across 28 buildings."

Resident: I had roughly one hour to evacuate

What they're saying:

Jennifer Falter told FOX 35 that she had to move out of her apartment and that she was given about an hour to do that. 

She said the stairs by her apartment were "looking a little rough," though she thought the repairs and evaluation of them was normal. 

However, on Tuesday evening, she received notice that her apartment building had been condemned and that she'd have one hour to get out of her unit.

Red and orange signs with the words "Unsafe" were placed on her building, as well as red "caution" tape blocking some of the stair entrances.

Red Cross assisting

Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers assisted with assessing the situation and offering affected residents water and snacks, the organization said in a statement to FOX 35.