Story by David Quaderer
Photos Courtesy Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue
At approximately 3:23 A.M. on the morning of December 19th, Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue (Bradenton Florida) responded to a reported Structure Fire in the Wilhelm Mobile Home Park, at 6330 14th Street West, Lot# 41.
Within 5 minutes one engine, a tanker, and the incident commander arrived on the scene and found a Mobile Home heavily involved in fire. Reports were received that the family's pet dog was still inside the structure.
An aggressive interior attack was initiated by the two companies at the scene, while a second engine company arrived on the scene and began search and rescue operations inside the structure.
Eventually two Engine Companies, a Tanker and additional Staff and Command Level Personnel responded to the scene, for a total of 11 Fire Department Personnel.
The three occupants who were at home at the time of the fire, escaped with minor injuries. The families pet dog that was left inside was successfully rescued by the firefighters and returned to the family. All the occupants were evaluated by Manatee County Emergency Medical Services, for minor cuts and smoke inhalation, and were released at the scene.
The structure involved was a Double Wide Mobile Home, which was 75% destroyed. The estimated value of the structure and contents lost in the fire approximately $70,000.00. The family's pet being saved, priceless. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but appears to be accidental in nature.
