Crystal River home destroyed by electrical fire

Citrus County Fire Rescue (CCFR)

~ Fire rescue stresses the Importance of working smoke alarms. ~

Crystal River, Florida – On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Citrus County Fire Rescue (CCFR) responded to a residence located on West Sunripe Loop in Crystal River, due to the report of a fire at 1:39 p.m.

Fire crews arrived at the location within minutes to find the single-story home fully engulfed in flames. All occupants had safely exited the building prior to the arrival of fire department personnel, with no injuries reported.

On arrival, fire crews initiated defensive fire operations to contain the fire and prevent further spread. During firefighting efforts, fire personnel were alerted to the presence of gunpowder and ammunition inside the home, which resulted in the temporary withdrawal of fire rescue personnel to reevaluate firefighting tactics for safety purposes. The fire was brought under control at approximately 2:11 p.m., and mop-up operations continued until all fire hazards were eliminated.

The residence sustained significant damage, and the preliminary findings suggest the fire was possibly caused by an electrical issue in a front bedroom.

The American Red Cross and a 1-800-BoardUp were contacted to aid the displaced family. The home was insured, and the family was provided with the necessary information to follow-up with their insurance provider.

The homeowner reported that there were smoke detectors in the residence; however, they did not activate during the fire.

Citrus County Fire Rescue stresses the importance of installing and maintaining working smoke alarms in all homes. Working smoke alarms save lives. It is critical to test smoke alarms monthly, replace batteries at least once a year, and replace alarms every ten years. Early detection from smoke alarms can provide crucial time to escape in the event of a fire.

IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE, CALL 9-1-1.

Citrus County Fire Rescue Contact Information:
Business Office Location: 1520 N. Meadowcrest Blvd.. Crystal River, Florida 34429;
Non-Emergency Phone: (352) 527-5406.
Website: www.CitrusCountyFire.com
Social Media: x.com/CitrusCoFire and Facebook.com/CitrusCountyFireRescue