MARCH 9, 2015
SANFORD, FLORIDA
A large two-alarm fire causes millions of dollars in damage
after it destroyed six recreational vehicles early Monday morning.
Seminole County fire officials said the fire broke out
around 4:30 a.m. at Florida Luxury Coach, 1930 Bobby Lee Point, just west of
I-4.
The fire tore through five motor coaches from the Florida
Luxury Coach dealership and one from Excalibur across the parking lot.
"I heard the big 'pow' and then found out this morning
what happened," said Penny Sheipe, who lives nearby.
Fire officials said the fuel in the RVs made it very
dangerous for firefighters.
“There’s about 500 gallons of diesel that’s been either
burned or let loose and we’re trying to get a handle on that,” said Battalion
Chief Paul Algeri.
Firefighters said a small fuel spill helped spread the
blaze.
“We had running fuel fires, which caught a bus probably 100
feet away on fire,” Algeri said.
Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to
approximately 20 other RVs at the business. Some bushes and trees were burned,
but the fire never made it to the buildings.
Some of the fuel that did not burn off in the fire spilled
into storm drains near the businesses. Crews worked through the day to soak up
the spill near the drains and keep any diesel from contaminating a nearby
retention pond.
"I have well water and I live down the street, so
hopefully it will be filtered by the time it gets down there," Sheipe
said.
As investigators sifted through the charred rubble, they
called firefighters back out to the scene around 3 p.m. to extinguish an RV
that reignited.
No one was injured in the fires and the businesses have
reopened. Officials said several of the motor homes were in the process being
sold, while others were ready for new owners.
Damage is estimated between $5 million and $6 million.
Investigators with the State Fire Marshal's Office continue
to look through surveillance video from the businesses to see if anything indicates
what started the fire.
Source:fox news.com