Residents of a Longwood gated community were forced to confront the results of a holiday celebration gone awry when used fireworks ignited a two-alarm fire in a 6,000-square-foot home on Alaqua Drive. The Seminole County Fire Department reported that the fireworks, which had been placed in the garage after the Fourth of July festivities, sparked the blaze that enveloped the garage and caused extensive smoke and water damage throughout the residence. The fire erupted on Thursday night, but thankfully, there were no injuries as people inside the home managed to escape in time, according to ClickOrlando.
The conflagration, while largely isolated to the garage area, displaced the inhabitants due to the severe smoke and water damage that permeated their homes. Assistance arrived from Lake Mary, Longwood, and Sanford fire departments, with a total of 23 units responding to the incident, "Initial reports are that the fire was started due to used fireworks that had been left in the garage," as detailed by ClickOrlando.
Nearly two dozen fire units were dispatched and succeeded in quelling the flames occurring at the affluent neighborhood's residence. The collaborative effort of the various fire departments helped to contain the fire and minimize the spread to adjacent structures. While the affected family is now facing displacement, they count themselves fortunate that personal safety remained intact amidst a scenario that could have been far more calamitous. "They’ll have to live elsewhere for now," SCFD said, according to WFTV.
