RUSKIN, Fla. – Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR) crews battled two separate, destructive residential structure fires overnight in Ruskin. Despite the intensity of the blazes, officials confirmed this morning that all occupants are accounted for and safe.
The dramatic sequence of events began late Thursday night, resulting in the complete loss of one home and significant damage to another.
First Blaze: Structure Collapses, Missing Adult Located Safe
At 11:05 p.m. on Thursday, multiple 911 callers reported a fully involved manufactured home fire on 18th Avenue SE. Arriving HCFR units found the structure entirely engulfed in flames.
Firefighters immediately launched a defensive attack. Shortly after crews arrived, the intense heat caused the home to collapse, forcing HCFR to use aerial operations to access and extinguish hot spots beneath the metal roof.
While no injuries were reported, one adult resident was initially unaccounted for. This morning, officials confirmed the individual has since been located.
Second Fire: Garage Blaze Controlled on Vista Ridge Drive
Less than two hours later, at 12:43 a.m. Friday, HCFR was called to a second residential fire on Vista Ridge Drive.
Crews arrived to heavy smoke and flames coming from the home’s garage, with the fire already spreading to the roof. Firefighters quickly used handlines and aerial operations to knock down the blaze and bring it under control.
Crews confirmed no one was inside at the time of the fire. One individual was evaluated on the scene by emergency personnel but was not transported to the hospital, and no injuries were reported.
The causes of both fires are currently under investigation by the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue’s Fire Investigations Unit.
READ: Florida Fugitive Captured In Mexico After Five-Year Manhunt For Double-Murder
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
