Passerby takes hose to Homosassa porch fire, likely preventing more extensive damage
Homosassa, Florida - At 5:29 pm on Saturday afternoon, July 30, 2022, Citrus County Fire Rescue responded to a residence located on W. Oaklawn St. in Homosassa due to the report of a fire. Deputies arrived on scene to find a single wide mobile home with active fire and light smoke, along with heavy fire damage to the front porch area.
Utilities to the home were secured. An eye witness told firefighters that he was passing by, saw the fire, and began to extinguish the fire with a garden hose. Due to this citizen’s efforts, the fire was contained to the front porch area, with minor extension into the home. Arriving crews continued extinguishment, conducted searches of the residence and investigated for further fire extension.
Three cats and one dog were safely removed from the residence. No injuries were reported. The fire appears to be accidental, and the origin of the fire appears to be from behind a refrigerator on the front porch. Damages were estimated at approximately $27,000. The American Red Cross was contacted to assist the resident, but the tenant declined its support.
The fire was under control as of 5:48 pm, and the last unit cleared the scene at 6:46 pm. Firefighters from the Sugarmill Woods, Connell Heights, Kensington, and Homosassa fire stations responded to the fire, along with the Safety Captain.
Contact Citrus County Fire Rescue by phone at (352) 527-5406, or by dialing 911 in Citrus County, Florida. in the event of an emergency. Visit online at www.CitrusCountyFire.com, Facebook.com/CitrusCountyFireRescue, or Twitter.com/CitrusCoFire.