(OCALA, FL.) September 13, 2023 – On Tuesday, September 12, at approximately 7:26 p.m., Ocala Fire Rescue's Engines 1, 3, 4, and 5, Rescue 5, Tower 1, Battalion Chiefs 11 and 22, and a Safety Officer responded to reports of a structure fire at the 2000 block of NE 11th Place.
The call came in as a thunderstorm made its way through Ocala.
While units traveled through the torrential downpour, dispatch advised that lightning struck the attached garage of a home, starting a fire. Though the residents evacuated the structure safely, their pet cats were still inside.
Engine 5 arrived to find a single-story residential structure with moderate smoke emitting from the soffits. To access the attic space, Engine 5's crew made their way to the garage, where flames were spotted coming from a vent fan. Engine 5 made their initial fire attack.
Engine 1 laddered the building to gain access to the roof, and Tower 1 secured the keys to the vehicle in the garage that was blocking the attic's access point. Engine 4 staged after laying a hose line in preparation for fire suppression.
The fire was extinguished and contained to the attic.
All cats were accounted for and safe.
No injuries were reported.
The Ocala Police Department, Ocala Electric Utilities, and Marion County Fire Rescue also responded.
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