Fire department conducts fire training at Crystal River Mall prior to its demolition

Photos courtesy of CCFR; left to right, top to bottom: ladder company extending ladders to roof, result of wall breaching techniques, firefighters conducting wall breaching techniques, removal of a downed firefighter, blitz attack fire suppression using a Blitz Lite monitor, and roof ventilation.

Crystal River, Florida - Citrus County Fire Rescue (CCFR) conducted training exercises at the vacant Crystal River Mall during Tuesday, June 20, through Monday, June 26, prior to the mall's demolition, which began immediately after the training was conducted. Fire rescue officials reached out to the mall's property owner, CR 19 Holdings, LLC, to inquire if they would be willing to allow fire rescue personnel to conduct training exercises at the mall prior to its demolition, and permission was granted.

"Our training facility provides our personnel the opportunity to simulate various fire conditions and scenarios for residential structures, but when presented with the opportunity to use a commercial facility, there’s no training like the real thing," said Fire Chief Craig Stevens. “Training like this is a unique opportunity for firefighters to practice in a real world environment, and these opportunities are invaluable for us."

A walk-through of the facility was conducted during June 17 -19 to identify locations to avoid or use, possible hazards that would be encountered, and to discuss tactics for commercial occupancies.

Examples of the training conducted at the mall include commercial engine operations, incident command operations in a commercial structure, conventional and unconventional forcible entry for interior doors, windows and roll up doors; firefighter survival, fire control and ventilation, and roof operations.

“Opportunities like these are uncommon and offer firefighters the chance to encounter some of the very real challenges that we could face if we ever have a true incident in one of those large buildings. We truly appreciate the support from CR 19 Holdings, LLC in allowing us to conduct this training,” said Fire Chief Craig Stevens.

Interior demolition has now begun on the Crystal River Mall, located at 1801 NW U.S. Hwy.19 in Crystal River. The mall opened on October 17, 1990 and closed for business on August 20, 2022. Within about two years, the 39-acre property is expected to become home to about 300 apartment complexes, 80 townhomes, and a town center with shops and restaurants.