Ocala Fire Rescue to Residents: ‘Prevent Fires, Not Fire Drills
In a fiery Sunday double-feature, Ocala Fire Rescue was called into action not once, but twice, responding to incidents that officials say a pinch of prevention could have nipped in the bud. The back-to-back blazes show the importance of fire safety—a message Ocala’s firefighters are keen to stoke up.
First on the list: a grease fire that broke out around 5:01 p.m. in NE Ocala, threatening to cook up more than just dinner in a first-floor apartment. The timely intervention of Ocala’s finest ensured no injuries and kept damage to a minimum. But hold the fire extinguisher—only 45 minutes later, they were called to the other side of town to tackle a structure fire in SW Ocala, sparked by a generator improperly housed inside a storage closet. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but this close call serves as a cautionary tale about generator safety.
Ocala Fire Rescue is now on a mission to remind residents that fire prevention is as simple as staying alert, keeping a clean kitchen, and storing generators where they belong—outside, in the fresh air. They urge residents to remember a few basics: never leave the stove unattended, keep flammables away from heat, and avoid indoor generator use unless you’re looking for an impromptu fire drill.
With Ocala’s fire responders keeping an eagle eye on local safety, residents are encouraged to check out Ocala Fire Rescue’s full list of fire prevention tips at www.ocalafire.org.
