MARION COUNTY, Fla. – Ocala firefighters rescued two people from a house fire on Thursday. As the investigation unfolds, authorities suspect arson may be to blame.
Crews responded to the fire at the 1100 block of NW 9th Ave. while initially dispatched for an unrelated call around 11:10 p.m., according to a news release.
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When crews arrived at the scene, they reported seeing heavy smoke and flames coming from the front of a small, single-story home with two residents inside.
Both residents, one of them being bed-bound, were safely removed from the house and the fire was successfully contained by 11:18 p.m., the release states. The victims were transported to the hospital and treated for smoke and flame exposure.
The fire is under investigation for arson due to the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Anyone who has information on the matter is asked to call Ocala PD at 352-369-7000 or call Crime Stoppers of Marion County anonymously by dialing 352-368-STOP (7867) or **TIPS. Visit OcalaCrimeStoppers.com to submit tips online.
Those who submit a helpful tip that leads to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward of $3,000.
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