Marion County Fire Rescue units were dispatched to reports of a residential structure fire located in the 13000 block range of SW 69th Place in Ocala. The 911 caller reported that both smoke and flames were visible and the occupants of the home had evacuated.
Firefighters from the Ray Lloyd Jr Station #31 arrived on scene to find the 2,000 square foot residence to be 80 percent involved in flames. Firefighters went into offensive mode with Rescue 531 establishing the Rapid Intervention Team and Rescue 31 performing rescue operations. The heavy flames compromised the roof of the structure, forcing firefighters to evacuate the structure.
Additional units from Meadowood Farms Station #12, Rainbow Springs Station #22, Golden Ocala Station #20 and Marion Oaks Station #24 arrived on scene and began defensive operations against the fire. Crews were able to protect any exposures and extinguish the fire.
The fire was called under control at 10:31 p.m.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.