Fire Reported In Lake Placid's Leisure Lakes, Residents Asked to Evacuate

By DAN FEARSON | Highlands Today
Published: February 14, 2008
Updated: February 14, 2008 - 6:01 PM

At approximately 12:15 p.m., Highlands County Emergency Management Officials and firefighters were asked to respond to a structure fire at 942 Peachtree Drive, in Lake Placid's Leisure Lakes subdivision.

Ben Henley, of the Highlands County EOC, said that as of 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, the fire had been contained, although several residents who owned homes downwind of the fire were asked to evacuate the area.

There are no injuries according to Henley.

Henley said that the evacuation is a precaution because the maintenance shop housed several chemicals, fertilizes, and pesticides, which were burned and possibly seeping into the air.

Henley said that so far officials have had to ask between eight to 10 people, from approximately 30 homes, to evacuate the area.

Henley said the structure was made out of solid brick and featured a metal roof, which were fully engulfed by flames.

Henley said that he expects officials to be on the scene for the "next two to three hours".