Homosassa mobile home fire under investigation; supposedly vacant home may have had squatter
Homosassa, Florida — At 1:37 pm on Friday, January 5, 2024, Citrus County Fire Rescue responded to S. Crystal Grove Pt., Homosassa location due to a reported structure fire. Fire personnel arrived at the address to find an approximately 800 square foot, double wide mobile home fully involved with flames.
Fire command conducted a 360-degree inspection that revealed that the structure had no power meter. The electrical wires were cut and rolled back to the roadway utility pole. A defensive attack of the fire was initiated. The fire was brought under control as of 2:05 pm. After overhaul and mop up, the last unit cleared the scene at 3:10 pm.
Once the fire was under control, searches were conducted, but no one was found inside the home. Neighbors informed fire rescue personnel that the house was vacant.
Citrus County Sheriff’s Office deputies on scene advised firefighters that they had a suspect in custody who was reportedly living in the abandoned residence without permission. The property owner, who lives at a different address, arrived on scene and confirmed that no one had permission to be on the property or inside the house.
An illegal burn was found on the property that was approximately 60 feet downwind from the structure fire, but it did not appear to be the cause of the fire. The illegal burn was extinguished by fire personnel. The fire contained metal, copper wire, aerosol cans, and batteries.
No injuries were reported. Damages were estimated at $42,057.
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause and origin of the fire.
Firefighters from the Connell Heights, Homosassa, Sugarmill Woods, and Hernando fire stations arrived at the fire scene, along with a safety captain and a rescue unit.
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.