TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. — Treasure Island Fire Rescue and more than half-a-dozen other departments had their work cut out for them Tuesday afternoon.
Around 3:27 p.m., crews were called to a two-story wood-frame home on 95th Ave. in Treasure Island that was fully engulfed in flames.
To get the fire under control, Treasure Island Fire upgraded the blaze to a second alarm and then a third-alarm fire.
Treasure Island Fire Rescue along with other surrounding agencies are working a single family house fire at 131 95th Avenue in Treasure Island. pic.twitter.com/CwWkr14MY6
— Treasure Island, FL (@TresIslandFL) August 15, 2023
Chief Trip Barrs said the fire was particularly concerning because of the neighborhood's layout. Many homes and structures are located just feet apart. Additionally, many are older and made of wood, which is more flammable than other materials.
According to Treasure Island Fire, the heat from the intense fire melted plastic on a house across the street and scorched the wall of a house next door. A three-story condo directly behind the house also suffered minor damage to its exterior and some of its windows.
“We thought we might have a fire running up the streets," Barrs said.
Fighting the fire also posed multiple challenges. There were live power lines down on both sides of the home, which complicated access to the home and fire hydrants. Also, an already stifling heat was made even hotter by the flames.
“The firefighters were just going to be gassed after a bottle or two. It’s 110 in the heat index here," Barrs said. "They’re wearing 65 pounds of gear — breathing through a mask on a tank they carry on their backs.”
However, firefighters from Treasure Island Fire and at least six neighboring departments were able to extinguish the bulk of the blaze within 20 minutes.
No injuries were reported.
Monique Hernandez, who lives in the apartment condo directly behind the home, said the firefighters deserve more than thanks.
“I want to hug them all," she said. “If that would have hit any closer or hit any harder, we wouldn’t be there — like we wouldn’t have our building.”
According to Chief Barrs, the cause of the fire is still unknown, but the fire marshal is investigating.
The co-owner of the home, who spoke briefly with ABC Action News, said it wasn’t her primary residence, but she is devastated. She said she and her family had invested heavily in the home and had made special memories at the house, which is just steps from the beach.
