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Highlands Today

Separate Fires Destroy Home, Garage

ELECTRICAL FIRE RULED ACCIDENTAL

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

Capt. Robert Border with the Avon Park Fire Department asks Angel Morales and his father, Misael, questions regarding the fire that destroyed their detached garage and vehicle Wednesday night in downtown Avon Park. Firefighters were able to rescue six of the seven birds owned by the Morales family that were kept in cages in the garage.

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By Joe  Seelig | Highlands Today

Published: January 4, 2008

AVON PARK — A smoke detector alerted an Avon Park family to a detached garage fire Wednesday night at 300 N. Lake Ave., in Avon Park.

The fire was ruled accidental and electrical in origin, according to State Fire Marshal Investigator Brandon Ball.

The alarm call came in at 7:57 p.m. Wednesday, to the Avon Park Fire Department to the home of Angela Morales, where firefighters found her garage or shed area fully involved.

The fire was declared under control about 15 minutes later, according to a written report.

The owner was at home at the time the fire started and said the fire started at about the same time a breaker in the electrical panel disconnected. But oddly, the garage was believed not to have electricity, according to the fire department.

The point of origin of the fire could not be determined and the State Fire Marshal's Office was called in to investigate, in light of recent arson fires.

Six of seven birds in cages were removed from the house to a safe location. One bird died.

A 1995 Pontiac Firebird was not the cause of the fire, but was damaged during the fire, the report stated.

The property damage was estimated at $15,000 to $25,000, Ball said.

Leisure Lakes House Fire A Total Loss

LAKE PLACID — A three bedroom house in Leisure Lakes that burned Wednesday afternoon is being called a total loss, according to State Fire Marshal Inspector Brandon Ball.

Damage to the concrete block home at 3207 Oleander Road, was estimated at $90,000.
Ball said the Leisure Lakes Volunteer Fire Department responded to the call that came in at about 3:50 p.m. Wednesday.

"The fire is being classified as undetermined," said Ball. "It originated in a child's bedroom."
Firefighters suggested it may have been caused by a candle.

"Due to the damage we couldn't substantiate if that was the cause," Ball said.

Ball did not have any information about the residents, as they left the scene before the fire marshal's inspector arrived. He believed four to six people were displaced, but was not certain if they were owners or renters.

Art Harriman, service center coordinator for the American Red Cross of Highlands County, said his office was not called to help victims in either fire.

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