Marion County firefighters rushed to a home in northeast Ocala on Monday evening after receiving reports of a residential structure fire.
Shortly before 5:45 p.m., multiple Marion County Fire Rescue units responded to a residence located in the 1300 block of NE 54th Street in Ocala. According to MCFR, a 911 caller reported that two children were inside the home when the fire started, but they had safely made their way outside.
Within two minutes, MCFR Sparr Station Rescue 19 was the first unit to arrive on scene, and crew members reported heavy smoke and a working fire.
Engine 19 arrived on scene shortly afterward, followed by Engine 1, and Engine 1’s lieutenant quickly established command. Rescue 19’s crew members were directed to complete a primary search of the area while firefighters began attacking the flames inside the home.
In a social media post, Marion County Fire Rescue stated that the flames were quickly extinguished in the kitchen, and the fire was called under control at 5:56 p.m.
Heavy Rescue 2’s crews were also on scene, and they completed vertical ventilation, which helped lift the smoke out of the residence. While inside the home, firefighters were able to locate a cat and dog.
The cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation, according to Marion County Fire Rescue.