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News Channel 8 Video | Comment | Photos
A firefighter douses flames that threatened
several homes. CHRIS URSO/Tribune photo
By CHIP OSOWSKI of News Channel 8
and CHRIS ECHEGARAY of The Tampa Tribune
PALM HARBOR - Firefighters are returning to the scene of a brush fire that forced several families to evacuate yesterday. Neighbors reported seeing more smoke from hotspots just before 9 a.m.
Meanwhile, two teenagers have been arrested in connection with a Palm Harbor fire, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said.
The fire started about 6 p.m. Wednesday night and was powered by dry conditions.
Flames shot 20 to 30 feet in the air, forcing the evacuation of eight houses and 120 condos along Lake St. George Drive, said Palm Harbor Fire Rescue spokeswoman Elizabeth Monforti.
Deputies arrested two teenage boys and charged both with willful, malicious or intentional burning of lands.
Investigators say a person living in the area called 911 to report the fire. About the same time, a deputy patrolling the area reported seeing smoke.
Worried homeowners who lived nearby grabbed their pets and some belongings and prepared to evacuate. Others stayed behind and wet down their roofs, hoping flying embers wouldn’t ignite another fire.
Monforti said some electricity was shut off once the brush fire approached power lines.
“It was fueled by the dry brush and leaves,” Monforti said of the three-alarm blaze. “It’s the very dry conditions driving it.”
Joe Tournai was forced to evacuate his home at 3436 Shorncliffe Lane. He said the fire was 15 yards away when he left.
“I could feel the heat up against the house,” Tournai said. “I wasn’t sure what to grab. I’ve never been in that situation. I grabbed some files and photographs. I absolutely thought the house was going to catch fire.”
Tournai returned home just before 9 p.m. He said young smokers congregating in the back may have ignited the fire. Tournai said he has called police about people smoking and partying behind his home.
Initially, the two boys told deputies they saw the fire but just didn’t report it. Later, the two admitted to starting it, deputies said.
The Division of Forestry says most of the brush fires are caused by carelessness.
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