Hillsborough County Fire Rescue had a very busy New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Firefighters were called to six separate house fires. They believe three of those fires were caused by fireworks.
“I know the damage is done from last night, but I tell people, be a firefighter for about 15 minutes, be very deliberate about cooling these fireworks off,” said Rob Herrin with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.
He said the fires often start when homeowners, trying to do the right thing, collect spent fireworks and bring them back into their homes.
“A lot of fires, related to fireworks and most of them aren’t ones that shoot randomly and catch a house on fire. It’s usually the folks that shot the fireworks off, wanted to be the good citizen they are, the good resident they are, get them out of the street but they don’t cool them enough and when they put them in their garage or whatever they are putting them in, they are too hot and they start a fire,” Herrin said.
Two of the fires claimed homes in Riverview, another fire burned a home in Palm River, while another fire burned a home in the Carrollwood area and still another fire burned a home in Valrico.
The Valrico home belongs to Fred Taylor who was out for the evening to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
“By the time I got here, there was probably six fire units, and they were spraying down on it,” Taylor said.
His brother was in the home and was able to get out, despite health problems.
“He could barely walk. He got out of the house to see that it was on fire and had to basically crawl back in to get his glasses so that he could see and dialed 911, and then he tried to get back out and he’s stumbling and he’s falling,” Taylor said.
He said everything in the home is a total loss. He believes the fire started from lithium batteries overheating.
“The thing is, people don’t realize when something like this happens how deep the devastation is. The stuff you have inside, they’re like, you can wash your clothes. You can’t wash that soot out. You can’t wash the smell, and then what about all of the paperwork that you had, that’s gone. And we have two cats, and it looks like they perished,” Taylor said.
Fire accidents can cause devastating injuries and property damage, leaving victims overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. At Ovadia Law Group, we specialize in helping individuals affected by fire accidents pursue justice and fair compensation. Our experienced fire accident lawyers understand the complexities of these cases and work tirelessly to protect your rights. From investigating the cause of the fire to negotiating with insurance companies, we handle every detail so you can focus on recovery. If you’ve suffered injuries or losses due to a fire accident, don’t wait—legal action is time-sensitive. Call 1-800-674-9396 today for a free consultation and let Ovadia Law Group guide you through the process. We’re committed to fighting for your future and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
Source: wfla
