2 men recovering after Palm Harbor rehab center fire

PALM HARBOR — Two men were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries Monday afternoon after a fire broke out at Countryside Rehab and Healthcare Center, 3825 Countryside Blvd.

Injured were Paul Arnett, a 62-year-old facility resident, and Brian Beasley, a 26-year-old facility employee, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Arnett and Beasley were both taken to Mease Countryside Hospital. Beasley was treated and released and Arnett was listed in good condition as of 7 p.m. Monday, a hospital spokeswoman said.

The fire began in room 120, deputies said. Some residents were moved from the wing as a precaution, but the fire did not require a full-scale evacuation.

The call came in at 1:50 p.m., according to Liz Monforti, spokeswoman for Palm Harbor Fire Rescue. "The fire was out very quickly," she said.

Officials are investigating the cause of the fire, she said.