HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. – Hernando County Fire Rescue crews had their hands full on Friday afternoon as three separate structure fires broke out across Hernando County within minutes of each other.
Starting just before 4 p.m., Hernando County Fire Rescue (HCFR) found themselves juggling multiple emergencies in Brooksville and Spring Hill, stretching resources thin as they raced to save property and pets.
The first call came in from the 5000 block of Cyril Drive in Brooksville. When engines arrived, smoke and flames were already visible pouring from the back of the house.
Firefighters moved quickly to “knock down” the blaze, a move that successfully kept the fire from breaching the interior of the home. Investigators later pinned the cause on an electrical malfunction. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and the family was able to stay in their home that night.
The situation was far more dire just a few minutes later on Spangler Avenue. Firefighters arrived to find a carport completely engulfed in flames, which had already jumped to the main house.
While the residents managed to scramble outside safely, several pets were still trapped inside. In a high-stakes rescue, crews managed to pull a dog, a bearded dragon, a ferret, and a cat from the smoke.
All the animals are expected to survive, but the house and the vehicle under the carport were declared a total loss. Officials determined the fire started due to mechanical problems with the car. The Red Cross is currently helping the displaced residents find a place to stay.
While crews were tied up with the Brooksville fires, a third call dropped in Spring Hill on Leeward Avenue.
A fire had sparked on a back patio, reportedly caused by a cooking mishap. Firefighters managed to douse the flames before they could destroy the entire house, though the patio sustained significant damage.
Despite the quick stop, the residents were displaced from the home. No injuries were reported in any of the three afternoon incidents.
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