A Monday morning fire at an Ocala duplex left seven people in two families without a place to live.
Multiple crews from Ocala Fire Rescue were called to the blaze in the 1100 block of NE Ninth Avenue at 7:31 a.m. When they arrived, they found about 30 percent of the single-level duplex unit fully involved in flames. Having received confirmation that everyone was out of the structure, the crews attacked the flames, with the fire being called under control at 7:35 a.m.
Firefighters then searched the structure for fire extension. Hot spots were found in the soffit of the unit where the fire originated. The adjoining unit sustained minor smoke damage to the walls.
The American Red Cross was contacted and was helping the displaced families find housing. The Ocala Police Department and Marion County Fire Rescue also responded to the structure fire.
