FL Firefighters Battle Dollar General Blaze

Sep. 3—A fire destroyed the Dollar General store at 2040 NE 35th St., Ocala, on Friday.

Marion County Fire Rescue spokesman James Lucas said his agency received the call at 10:24 a.m. and firefighters arrived at 10:30 a.m.

Lucas said when firefighters got to the scene, smoke was seen coming from the front of the building. Firefighters entered the structure in an attempt to extinguish the flames. While they were inside, Lucas said, the fire raged, grew quickly, and rose to the ceiling.

Those firefighters quickly got out. When additional crews arrived, they cut a hole in the roof to let out some of the smoke. Firefighters continued to battle the fire from outside.

Lucas said the 911 caller reported that the fire was on a shelf. No additional details were immediately available. State fire officials have been called to investigate the fire, county fire officials said.

Ocala Fire Rescue spokeswoman Ashley Lopez said her agency's firefighters had received the call at 10:26 a.m. Lopez said Ocala Fire Rescue assisted its county counterparts.

Firefighters used a ladder truck and large ground hoses to battle the fire. Crews said they finished mopping up the fire shortly after 2 p.m.

No injuries were reported.

Law enforcement officials from the city and county were at the location directing traffic and making sure the scene was clear.

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