Firefighters Battle Residential Fire in High Springs

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ At 8:57 p.m. on June 17, the High Springs Fire Department (HSFD) was dispatched to 16264 N.W. 202^nd Drive in the High Springs’ Weston Oaks neighborhood for a reported fire alarm activation. At 8:58 p.m. officers from the High Springs Police Department (HSPD), which had been dispatched to the same address just moments earlier for a burglar alarm, arrived on the scene.

HSPD officers reported that smoke and fire were showing from the roof. The call was then upgraded to a residential structure fire and High Springs Heavy Rescue 29 and Alachua County Fire Rescue units were dispatched to the home.

At 9:06 p.m. High Springs firefighters arrived on the scene of the single-story 2,200-square foot home, advising of a heavy fire load from the roof. Firefighters quickly deployed a hose line to quell the blaze, putting water on the fire within five minutes of arrival.

Due to the size of the structure and weather conditions, an additional engine company and Alachua County Fire Rescue’s Heavy Rescue 23 were requested on the orders of incident commander Chief Bruce Gillingham. The call provided for additional manpower and a light tower.

No injuries were reported due to the blaze. “The cause of the fire is believed to be a lightning strike,” said High Springs Public Information Officer Kevin Mangan.

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