Firefighters from Ocala and Marion County responded to a local quadraplex on Saturday morning to extinguish a multi-residential structure fire.
At approximately 5:10 a.m., Ocala Fire Rescue and Marion County Fire Rescue units were dispatched to the 3000 block of NE 58th Avenue in Ocala due to reports that a quadraplex in the area was on fire. According to MCFR, multiple 911 callers had reported that one of the apartments was fully engulfed in flames, and the callers were unsure if the building was occupied.
MCFR stated that its Anthony Engine Company #1, Heavy Rescue 2, and Rescue 1 units arrived on scene at 5:17 a.m. and observed a working structure fire.
Engine 1 established command, directed the firefighters to attack the fire, and sent crew members from Heavy Rescue 2 as a search group. Additional fire suppression units from MCFR Rolling Greens Station #28 and Silver Springs Shores Station #17, along with Ocala Fire Rescue’s Engine #2 and Engine #5 units, quickly arrived on scene to assist with combating the flames.
As crews continued to battle the fire, Heavy Rescue 2 completed the primary search with negative results. According to MCFR, all occupants of the quadraplex had safely exited the building.
MCFR stated that the fire was called under control at 5:45 a.m. The American Red Cross was requested to assist two families who were displaced by the fire.
No injuries were reported to residents or firefighters. According to Marion County Fire Rescue, the cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation.