Last night on 12th Street in Wimauma, Hillsborough County firefighters charged into a burning home and pulled out a trapped man, turning what could have been a fatal fire into a narrow escape. Neighbors had reported that someone was still inside, and crews went straight into an interior search, finding the man in a room choked with smoke. They had him out within minutes and rushed to a nearby trauma center, where officials listed him in serious but stable condition. The fire itself was knocked down quickly, and no other injuries were reported.
According to FOX 13 Tampa Bay, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue dispatchers started getting multiple 911 calls at 7:56 p.m. Crews rolled up to find heavy flames already chewing through the home. Firefighters located the occupant and had him outside within about five minutes, and paramedics had him en route to a trauma center roughly 15 minutes after that. The station reports that crews brought the fire under control in less than 20 minutes.
County fire response
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue is the main agency handling structure fires in unincorporated parts of the county and runs a Fire Investigations Unit to determine origin and cause, according to county materials. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue lists fire suppression, emergency rescue and investigations among its primary responsibilities.
Investigation underway
Officials have not said yet what sparked the house fire. FOX 13 Tampa Bay reports that the county's Fire Investigations Unit stayed on scene Sunday night to begin sorting out where and how the blaze started. Crews secured the property while investigators documented the scene and collected evidence.
Safety reminder for neighbors
County fire officials repeatedly stress that working smoke alarms and a practiced escape plan are the best bets for getting out safely when a fire breaks out. For guidance on smoke alarms, home evacuation planning and updates on department activity, visit Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.
