Friday, February 27, 2015

WELDING DURING CONSTRUCTION CAUSED BLAZE AT ST. JOSEPH'S CANCER CENTER, IN TAMPA, FLORIDA FIRE OFFICIALS SAID






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.