FIRE SPREAD SO QUICKLY HOMEOWNER WAS UNABLE TO EXTINGUISH IT.
Just before 2:00 p.m. on January 27, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR) responded to a rapidly spreading brush fire off Mary Ivy Drive in Plant City. According to the initial 911 caller, the fire began as a controlled burn in a steel drum. However, fire escaped through low venting holes in the drum and quickly spread, overwhelming the homeowner’s ability to manage it. According to residents, HCFR crews arrived about 20 minutes after a 911 call, then initiated aggressive firefighting operations to contain the blaze and prevent further spread. They extinguished it in approximately 10 minutes.
The fire spread behind the home about 50 yards east, and 70 yards south and north. Flames burned down a shed, destroyed a John Deere lawn tractor, two inoperable cars, melted a connector door on a camper, and left smoke residue on 10 junked vehicles, 6 junked boats, another camper, and a semi-trailer.
Despite the extent of the damage, no injuries have been reported to residents or HCFR personnel.
“I saw a bunch of smoke and some flames in the backyard and a lot of fire trucks, and later on news helicopters were flying around,” Jessica Terrell said. “I couldn’t tell which house it had come from because there was smoke from a bunch of yards. I had just got off work and I couldn’t tell exactly what was happening.”
“We are honestly and truly sorry because it was an accident,” the homeowner said.
