(Credit: WINK News)
A Lee County home was engulfed in flames early Friday morning, resulting in a total loss. The fire broke out on South Pebble Trail, just outside San Carlos Park, around 3:45 a.m.
Amy Bollen, a public information officer for South Trail Fire, said the homeowners woke up to smoke inside their home and quickly escaped before calling 911.
“When crews arrived on scene, the flames were already through the roof, so it was an active, working fire,” said Bollen.
Firefighters from South Trail, Iona McGregor, and San Carlos Park fire departments responded to the blaze with eight fire units and two EMS units.
Bollen said, “They had to back out. The ceiling started to collapse. The roof has multiple areas that have fully collapsed.”
The fire originated in the attic, but the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.
“The attic is where all of the main parts of the fire were. The cause of that is right now still under investigation,” said Bollen.
Bollen noted a significant challenge faced by the firefighters due to the lack of hydrants on the Briarcliff roads.
“There aren’t hydrants down these roads where they have to go to the main road. So the firefighters and the fire crews, they laid 1000s of feet of five-inch hose to get to a hydrant,” she said.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Bollen credited working smoke alarms for saving the homeowners’ lives.
“What really saved the homeowners here and their lives are working smoke alarms,” said Bollen.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Power & Light also responded to the scene. The Red Cross is currently assisting the homeowners.
Bollen urged homeowners to clear dry brush from their properties and regularly check smoke alarms as fire season and drought conditions continue.
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Source: winknews
