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Highlands Today

Fire Destroys Avon Park Home

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: July 17, 2008

AVON PARK - State Fire Marshal investigators suspect a lightning strike was the culprit in a house fire that destroyed an Avon Park Lakes home at 2643 Rehrer Road, Tuesday afternoon.

Firefighters from Highlands Lakes, West Sebring and Sun 'n Lake of Sebring volunteer fire departments reportedly received the fire call at 2:16 p.m. Firefighter EMT Swen Swenson said the fire appeared to have started in the roof of the garage.

No one was injured, he added.

The home is owned by Quirino and Remedio Tortal, according to the Highlands County Tax Appraiser's records.

The home was a total loss, said Sam Venzeio, a public information officer with the state Fire Marshal's Office on Wednesday. The damage was estimated at $285,000, he said, citing a report from Fire Marshal Det. Michael Douglas.

"The fire remains under investigation but does not appear to be suspicious at this time," Venzeio said.
State Fire Marshal Capt. Brandon Ball said Wednesday a lightning strike might have caused the fire.

It took about 17 firefighters nearly an hour and a half and 15 tanker trips of 1,800 gallons of water each to put out the blaze, Swenson said.

Joe Seelig can be reached at 863- 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com

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