Multiple crews from Marion County Fire Rescue battled a blaze Tuesday afternoon at a commercial business in Ocala.
Firefighters were called to a blaze at Pro Poly of America, located in the 1800 block of NW 57th Street, shortly before 3 p.m. A 911 caller reported that plastic was on fire in the back of the shop, with heavy black smoke coming out of the business.
The crew aboard Anthony Engine Company #1 arrived on scene at 3:02 p.m. and reported heavy black smoke showing at the large commercial structure. Engine #1 established command and designated Rescue #1 as the search group. Engine #1’s lieutenant completed a 360-degree inspection of the fire ground, taking note of a power line on one side of the building and high heat on another side. The crews quickly went into offensive mode to fight the fire and noted zero visibility and a forklift’s propane tank venting within the structure, a report states.
District Captain #1 arrived on scene a short time later, assumed command and requested a second alarm. Additional units from Lowell Station #11, Shady Station #16, Sparr Station #19, Citra Station #2, Friendship Station #21 and Ray Lloyd Station #31 arrived on scene to assist in extinguishing the blaze. Firefighters on Heavy Rescue #2 also established the rapid intervention team.
Rescue #1 reported the primary search was complete with no one located inside the building. The crew from Truck Company #3 moved onto the roof and completed vertical ventilation of the building, which improved smoke conditions for firefighters within the structure.
The fire was called under control at 3:27 p.m. The cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation by the county’s fire marshal. Based on the preliminary investigation, the fire appears to be accidental, the report says.
