FEBRUARY 26, 2015
TAMPA, FL (WFLA)
Construction work at St. Joseph's Hospital caused the fire
that sent smoke billowing through the area, Tampa Fire Rescue said.
The fire at the Cancer Center started when sparks from
equipment being used on the roof drifted down to a lower level where
construction materials were being held.
The materials became fuel for the fire that prompted three
alarms, said Jason Penny, spokesman for Tampa Fire Rescue.
"Lot of smoke, lot of sirens," said Manuel Perez
standing across the street as firefighters worked the scene. "It was scary
for a moment."
"Very scary," witness Ruben Blanco offered.
"It looks like the fire department did a great job. They got on it
quick and extinguished it quick. Thank God."
The fire department believes welding sparks caused the
blaze. The Sarasota-based contractor told FOX 13's Even Axelbank via phone that
they had no comment before hanging up.
Work has since resumed on the renovation project
The cancer center building was not being used for patients
during construction, said St. Joseph's Hospital spokeswoman Lisa
Patterson.
A nearby hospital building was evacuated as a precaution.
The hospital is open to patients.
By late afternoon, fire rescue crews had left the area,
Habana Avenue was back open and construction workers were back on site. The
crews work for Willis A. Smith construction. A woman who took a call inquiring
about the incident said the company had no comment.