CCFR battles two fires, Feb. 14: Homosassa and Beverly Hills
Homosassa, 4:06 am: Shed and boat a total loss
Homosassa, Florida - On Monday, February 14, 2022, at 4:06 am, Citrus County Fire Rescue responded to residence on S. Quiet Terrace in Homosassa, Florida, in response to the report of a fire. Firefighters arrived on scene to find an approximately 10 foot by 10 foot metal shed and a 10 foot fiberglass boat fully involved in flames. The fire was under control at 4:21 am, and the last unit cleared the scene at 4:54 am. The shed and boat were a total loss. No injuries were reported.
Beverly Hills, 3:41 pm: Home damaged by dryer lint fire
Beverly Hills, Florida - Later on Monday, February 14, 2022, at 3:41 pm, Citrus County Fire Rescue responded to a home located on N. Sunrose Path in Beverly Hills, due to another report of fire. Firefighters arrived on scene to find an approximately 2,000 square foot home, with smoke escaping from the eaves. An offensive attack was initiated on the fire, through the garage.
Firefighters learned that the home had been evacuated, and the breaker had been shut off. Searches of the residence confirmed that no one was inside. Firefighters had to pull out the ceiling in order to access the attic to complete extinguishment of the fire. The fire was under control at 4:15 pm, and the last unit cleared the scene at 6:19 pm.
Damages were estimated at $90,000. No injuries were reported. A press release stated that the homeowner declined the assistance of the Red Cross. Firefighters from the Citrus Springs, DeRosa, Hernando, Homosassa, Connell Heights, Kensington, and Pine Ridge fire stations assisted with the fire, along with a Safety Captain.
According to a CCFR press release, a company was installing a dryer, and when the new dryer was plugged into an electrical outlet, there was a spark, which caught some lint behind the dryer on fire, which in turn, caused the attic to catch fire.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 2,900 clothes dryer home fires are reported each year, causing approximately 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss. Failure to clean the dryer is the leading cause of clothes dryer home fires. Clean clothes dryer lint filters every time you use the dryer, and clean your dryer vent ductwork every year. Obtain additional safety tips here: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/clothes_dryers.html.
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Contact Citrus County Fire Rescue by phone at 352-527-5526. Or visit online at
www.citrusbocc.com/departments/fire_rescue/index.php, Facebook.com/CitrusCountyFireRescue, or Twitter.com/citruscofire.