Lake County firefighters responded to a report of a burn patient at a warehouse fire on in Clermont on Feb. 13. This fire was reported shortly after a residential fire less than a mile away claimed the life of an elderly women.
Firefighters from Lake County, Clermont and Orange County responded to battle the blaze. The first arriving units reported heavy fire showing in a two-story, 4,000-square-foot warehouse building.
A patient was treated on the scene for burns, but was not transported to the hospital.
"Fire conditions were already well progressed by the time the 9-1-1 call was made. The occupants spent valuable time trying to extinguish the fire and it delayed getting the trained professionals on scene," Lt. Brian Gamble, Vice President of the Professional Firefighters of Lake County said. "Responding crews immediately called for more help."
Firefighters set up a tower ladder to access the fire breaking through the roof.
"The fire took several hours to bring under control. Firefighters face dangerous conditions with warehouse fires as the construction is usually lightweight and you never know what is stored inside, and where," Gamble stated.
"This warehouse was reported to be a recycling center for used cooking oil. This can literally add fuel to the fire. This job is an inherently dangerous job already and when you have a warehouse where the contents could change on a frequent basis, it elevates the level of risks. You really never know what is inside these buildings, and that creates a very dangerous situation."
One firefighter from Orange County was injured on the scene after falling off a ladder while fighting the fire inside the building. He was treated on the scene and was not transported.
The state fire marshal was called in to investigate the cause of the fire.
