Airboat Clears Smoke out of Broward County, FL, Building

A morning fire at the Swap Shop — one of the largest flea markets in Broward County — had firefighters rushing over to contain it. While the fire was small, the smoke filling the massive building presented challenges that required “unconventional” solutions, including using an airboat.

Around 7 a.m., Lauderhill Fire Department rushed to a fire alarm being triggered at the Swap Shop, 3291 W. Sunrise Boulevard, Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Levy said.

Firefighters found smoke coming from the second floor of the large flea market and made their way inside. They discovered the fire sprinklers contained the fire to one vendor booth, which the firefighters quickly put out.

While the fire was an easy fix, the smoke had already spread through much of the building.

“Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and were faced with the challenge of getting the smoke out of such a large building,” Levy said.

Crews spent a few hours using firefighting ventilation fans but to no avail. The size of the building made clearing the smoke too much of a task for the fans. So, more “unconventional firefighting methods” had to be used.

Firefighters called in an assist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, asking to haul in an airboat. The smoke was finally cleared using the large fan that powers the boat.

There were no injuries, and the Swap Shop’s main building remains closed. The cause of the fire has not been released.

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