BRANDON, Fla. – A dramatic two-alarm fire erupted at the Brandon Mall this evening, sending plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR) responded swiftly to the scene, battling the blaze that originated in the Sears store.
Multiple 911 calls flooded the HCFR Emergency Dispatch Center around 5:17 PM, reporting heavy smoke emanating from the roof of the Sears building. Fire crews arrived within minutes and confirmed a working fire.
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Initially, firefighters launched an aggressive attack to contain the flames. However, a partial roof collapse forced them to shift to a defensive strategy to ensure their safety. The incident was quickly escalated to a two-alarm fire, requiring additional resources to control the situation.
Despite the challenges, HCFR personnel managed to bring the fire under control in under 40 minutes. Thankfully, no injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.
As of this report, 16 HCFR units and approximately 60 firefighters remain on scene working to fully extinguish the fire. Traffic in the vicinity of the mall has been impacted due to lane closures, and HCFR is asking the public to avoid the area.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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