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Controlled burn destroys vehicles, boats
FOX 13's Genevieve Curtis reports on A Plant City brush fire that was sparked Monday afternoon after a controlled burn got out of control. Officials said 12 vehicles, six boats, two travel trailers, one semi-trailer, and two detached sheds were all damaged in the brush fire.
PLANT CITY, Fla. - A Plant City brush fire sparked Monday afternoon after a controlled burn got out of control.
What we know:
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue said crews responded at around 2 p.m. to the "rapidly spreading" brush fire off of Mary Ivy Drive.
They said a 911 caller told them the fire began as a controlled burn that quickly got out of control, overwhelming the homeowner trying to manage it.
READ: Partial roof collapse at Brandon Mall after fire breaks out, no injuries reported: HCFR
Firefighters said they began working to put out the brush fire and prevent it from spreading any further as soon as they got to the scene.
Officials said 12 vehicles, six boats, two travel trailers, one semi-trailer and two detached sheds were all damaged in the brush fire. No injuries to residents or fire crews have been reported, according to HCFR.
What they're saying:
Dennis Felton's backyard was left with charred collector cars that belonged to his landlord as well as torched boats, soot and ash. He said the fast-moving brush fire started in a burn pit next door to Felton.
He got a call from another neighbor as thick black smoke covered his neighborhood.
"He's like, ‘your house is on fire!’" he said.
However, the flames only threatened his trailer, but didn't make it that far before it was extinguished by firefighters. Once he knew his wife and kids were safe, Felton's immediate thought was about his dogs, especially Beau, who originally belonged to his late father.
"That was my dad's dog," Felton said. "When my dad passed away, he really became mine. He’s a big old baby. He’s the last thing I have of my dad."
Seeing the smoke, Felton said a neighbor heroically ran into his trailer to get the dogs out before he could get home from work.
Dig deeper:
The fire department said a permit is required in the county for a controlled burn. They’re still looking into whether the homeowner who started the fire had a permit, and if they will face any charges related to the blaze.
The Source: The information in this story was released by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.
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