Crime & Safety

Fire Destroys House in Temple Terrace Area

The family was home, but was able to escape the blaze.

Improperly extinguished cigarettes are to blame for a fire that caused an estimated $43,000 in damage to a Temple Terrace area home yesterday morning, Tampa Fire Rescue officials say.

According to a media alert, the fire department responded to the call at 4819 E. 98th Ave. just before 11:30 a.m. Feb. 15. When they arrived, they found the one-story home “engulfed in flames.” It took 32 fire fighters about 30 minutes to get the blaze under control, the release said.

Carlos Vilar, 41, Lillian Marcano, 42, and Michael Vilar, 11 months, were home when the fire broke out. Carolos Vilar was able to get his family out of the house. He was also able to move his vehicle, which was “parked dangerously close” to the fire, the release said. Since his keys were still inside the home, Vilar had to push the car to move it away from the flames.

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When fire units arrived, they saw Vilar pushing his car onto the street.

Frank Rosete, fire investigator, deemed the fire accidental and said it was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials, the release said.

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Red Cross was called out to provide the family with temporary shelter. No one was injured in the fire.


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