Ocala Fire Rescue has provided additional details regarding the cause of a fire that ignited on the back porch of a local apartment on Tuesday afternoon.
At approximately 3:50 p.m., Ocala Fire Rescue units consisting of Engines 1 and 5, Tower 1, Rescue 4, Battalion Chief 11, and a Safety Officer responded to Saddleworth Green Apartments (2901 SW 1st Street) in reference to a structure fire.
The Rescue 4 unit was the first to arrive on scene, and crews observed smoke and flames coming from a first-floor unit’s back porch. An Ocala Police Department officer was using a fire extinguisher to keep the flames from spreading, according to OFR.
Nearby residents had safely evacuated the building prior to the arrival of firefighters.
Rescue 4’s crews used another fire extinguisher to put out the flames that were heading up a freezer unit onto the wall.
Additional firefighters blasted the flames with a hose while crews from Engine 5 and Tower 1 searched the second floor, ceiling, and behind the porch walls for any extension of the fire.
The fire was soon extinguished, and it was contained to the porch, according to OFR.
While searching the interior of the apartment, firefighters found two pet birds and safely brought them outside.
According to OFR, the renter of the affected unit told firefighters that the fire “started after a lit candle toppled over.”
There were no injuries reported.
OFR’s Prevention Division and Marion County Fire Rescue also responded.
Ocala Fire Rescue wants to remind the public that “it is essential to blow out all candles before leaving a room or going to bed.” In addition, OFR encourages residents to use flameless candles, which often look and smell the same.