SEFFNER, Fla. – A Hillsborough County Fire Rescue investigator was attacked while responding to a pair of mobile home fires in Seffner early Friday morning, highlighting the unexpected dangers faced by first responders.
The incident began with multiple 911 calls reporting heavy smoke and flames coming from two mobile homes in the area of Robson Avenue. A Fire Investigator, who happened to be nearby, arrived on the scene within two minutes and confirmed the fires.
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However, as the investigator assessed the situation, he was unexpectedly attacked by an individual at the scene. The investigator, forced to defend himself, drew his service weapon and held the suspect at gunpoint until Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies arrived to secure the area.
Once the scene was deemed safe, fire crews launched an aggressive attack on the blazes, bringing them under control within 30 minutes. Thankfully, no residents were injured in the fires.
The cause of the fires remains under investigation. Authorities are working to determine the origin and circumstances surrounding the incident.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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