Hillsborough County Fire Rescue 1st-Battalion Chief Paul McClamma from station 37 watches as his crew works on bringing a brush fire under control that started on a vacant field near the FishHawk Publix Plaza, and Tire Choice in Lithia.
It took about an hour for Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR), along with multiple neighboring crews, to fight a three acre brush fire on a vacant field north of the FishHawk Publix Plaza behind the Tire Choice on Sunday, January 15, in Lithia before the flames were brought under control.
According to HCFR 1-Battalion Chief Paul McClamma, from station 37, about 12 units along with several brush fire control trucks responded to the scene.
The fire started around 12:30 p.m. and quickly spread, threatening a residential neighborhood as well as nearby businesses while many watched the flames being chased by HCFR personnel.
“We started attacking the fire from the side nearest to the homes,” McClamma said.
No buildings were damaged and there were no injuries.
While the cause is under investigation Patrick Keogh, with the Florida Forest Services, also on the scene, said that the fire was likely caused by humans.
“With conditions ripe, it takes very little for brush fires to start,” Keogh said. “From now until June it’s good for area residents to be vigilant.”
For more information on brush fires, please visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/firerescue/divisions/suppression.cfm
