MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A Marion County firefighter was hurt as crews fought back flames from a burning garage near Ocala on Thursday, according to the fire department.
Crews responded around 8 p.m. to the 10200 block of North U.S. Highway 441, where multiple 911 callers reported heavy flames feeding into a column of black smoke that could be seen for miles, Marion County Fire Rescue said on social media.
A propane tank had exploded at the scene, firefighters said, noting there was an additional tank not far away. Fire trucks from at least six stations arrived at the scene as the command soon struck a second alarm to call in more manpower, the post states.
Fire conditions quickly deteriorated when firefighters made entry to search the structure, what the fire department said left Lt. Nicholas Ghigliotty injured. Ghigliotty was treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to the hospital where he was evaluated, treated further and released around 10:30 p.m., according to the post.
The fire was called under control around 8:20 p.m., firefighters said, reporting no civilians were injured.
The cause and origin of the fire were still being investigated by the State Fire Marshal’s Office at the time of this report.
Note: This map depicts the general area of the fire and not necessarily its exact location.
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