WIMAUMA, Fla. — Hillsborough County Fire Marshal has confirmed one person has died in a fire Thursday night in Wimauma.
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue was called to a structure fire on Bonita drive in Wimauma at 7:47 p.m. When crews got on scene there were multiple small structures and an RV on fire which quickly spread to the brush and nearby trees.
A second alarm was called and then a third.
On scene there were a total of 33 HCFR units, HCSO Deputies, HCSO Aviation Unit, two water Tankers from Manatee County, and units from the Florida Forest Service.
Hillsborough County officials confirm a fire started around 8pm at an RV and quickly spread to nearby woods. One person is dead. It's a rural area so crews began shuttling water into the neighborhood. Crews working on Bonita Drive. pic.twitter.com/Mi92SqdRE9
— Julie Salomone (@JSalomoneTV) March 16, 2018
HCFR says that the fire took place in a rural area, without any county water or hydrants, so crews quickly set up a water shuttle operation to ensure firefighters had adequate water throughout the incident. Two tankers were requested from Manatee County to assist with the operation. Florida Forest Service responded with a plow to cut a line through that thick brush to assist with the fire stop.
HCFR says that three adults that live on the property were able to safely escape the fire, however, at some point one of the residents was unaccounted for. The HCSO Aviation unit was requested to fly over the scene and search for the missing person due to the thick brush; the person was later discovered and was deceased.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office will be completing a death investigation and release the identity of the victim once family has been notified.
Officials say that the fire is now under control.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
