Neighbors on Clearwater Beach woke to sirens early Wednesday as Clearwater Fire & Rescue rushed to the 400 block of East Shore Drive, where flames were tearing across the roof of an apparently abandoned motel. Crews called a two-alarm response and attacked the rooftop fire quickly to keep it from spreading to nearby buildings. No injuries were reported, and firefighters knocked the blaze down in about 30 minutes.
Dispatchers received the initial call at 3:45 a.m., and arriving units found heavy fire pouring from the roof, according to Tampa Bay 28. Photos from the scene were credited to WFTS photographer Jeremy Bias.
Access Problems Slowed Entry but Flames Stayed in Check
FOX13 identified the property as 403 East Shore Drive and reported that fencing around the site made it harder for firefighters to reach the heart of the blaze. The station noted that Clearwater Fire & Rescue still had the fire under control in less than half an hour and that the building appeared to be abandoned or temporarily closed.
Investigation Underway
City officials said the cause of the fire remains under investigation and that crews are working to determine where it started, according to Tampa Bay 28. Authorities reiterated that no injuries have been reported.
Abandoned Properties Raise Safety Questions
Vacant and unsecured properties on Clearwater Beach have drawn increased attention from code enforcement in recent months. The city previously declared another abandoned motel on the beach a public nuisance, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times. The City of Clearwater also maintains online resources for reporting code violations and public-safety information on the City of Clearwater Public Safety page.
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