Two injured in early morning Floral City house fire
Photo courtesy of CCFR.
Floral City, Florida - At 4:47 am on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, Citrus County Fire Rescue responded to a residence located on E. Jonke Ct. in Floral City due to the report of a fire. The 911 caller reported that the residence was on fire, that a shed on the property was catching fire, and a recreational vehicle was being threatened by the fire. Firefighters arrived at the residence to find a double wide mobile home fully involved with fire.
Firefighters established a defensive mode, and all incoming units were advised to stage on S. Florida Ave. for water shuttles, due to the driveway leading to the residence being so narrow. The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area to conduct traffic control due to the fire being near the main road, S. Florida Ave. (U.S. Highway 41). Extinguishment activities began to bring the fire under control. The power to the home was secured.
The three occupants of the home had exited the residence prior to the arrival of firefighters. Rescue units medically evaluated them. One sustained minor injuries, but refused to be transported for medical care, and one was treated on scene and transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
The homeowner told firefighters that he awakened to find fire on the back wall of the room, and he quickly evacuated the home with the other two occupants. He said that he attempted to extinguish the fire, using two different handheld extinguishers, but the fire grew too quickly. The other occupants told firefighters that the home was filled with smoke, and there was significant fire involvement when they exited the home.
The fire was brought under control as of 5:20 am, and the last unit cleared the scene at 10:25 am. The residence is a total loss. The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office was contacted to investigate the fire, and the American Red Cross was contacted to assist the displaced residents.
Firefighters from the Floral City, Hernando, Highlands, Pine Ridge, Kensington and Connell Heights fire stations assisted with the fire, along with two rescue units, and the Rehab Unit from Citrus Springs .
MAKE A HOME ESCAPE PLAN
Citrus County Fire Rescue recoimmends that everyone make a home escape plan. Draw a map of your home, showing all doors and windows. Discuss the plan with everyone in your home. Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure that all doors and windows leading outside open easily. Determine an outside meeting place - like a tree, light pole or mailbox - a safe distance from the home where everyone should meet. Call the fire department from outside your home. Never go back inside for people or pets. One-third of American households surveyed thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life-threatening. However, the time is often less, and only 8% said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out! Please visit https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education for additional information.
CONTACT CITRUS COUNTY FIRE RESCUE
Citrus County Fire Rescue can be contacted 24/7 in an emergency within Citrus County, Florida by dialing 911. For information about Citrus County Fire Rescue, call (352) 527-5406 or visit www.CitrusCountyFire.com, Twitter.com/CitrusCoFire, or Facebook.com/CitrusCountyFireRescue.