A welder who was trying to install a new bracket to relocate a disco ball tells the Tampa Fire department that his work may be the reason a historic Ybor City building was destroyed.
Fire department spokesperson Jason Penny tells ABC Action News that sparks from the second floor installation work appear to have ignited old fire retardant in the ceiling of the Ybor Amphitheater, leading to a three-alarm fire late Wednesday night.
Much of the historic 7th Avenue building was destroyed, and two firefighters were hospitalized due to smoke inhalation during the fire fight.
Those firefighters were treated and released by Thursday morning.
During a morning inspection, overnight smoldering had escalated to a rekindling, and firefighters again were called out to put out more hot spots.
