Heavy fire burns through Brandon apartment, displaces 12 families

BRANDON, Fla. (WFLA) — A heavy fire burned through a two-story apartment in Brandon on Sunday afternoon, according to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.

Reports of the large fire were received at around 4:52 p.m. at Red Maple Place.

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“It is my entire apartment building on fire, and nothing of it left, resident Melissa Morgan told WFLA.

The 3-alarm fire sent a large column of black smoke into the air, as officials said the fire rapidly burned through the roof of one building, traveling along the attic of the attached units.

“When I came back in to tell everyone that there was a fire out there, somebody was banging on the door telling everyone to come out, everybody get out. So, me and my family got out safely, so it is crazy, and it has been emotional,” resident Sheila Jacobs said.

Two ground units called for an aerial operation to help battle the blaze from above.

Crews said a total of 28 units were on the scene.

“We were able to get ahead of that fire, and protect a quarter of the building, unfortunately, 12 units were involved, 10 were occupied,” Rob Herrin, the Section Chief at Hillsborough County Fire Rescue said.

No one was reported injured and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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