Ocala firefighters responded to the location of a former Pizza Hut restaurant on Sunday evening after a passerby reported that the building was on fire.
On Sunday, October 2, shortly after 10:30 p.m., Ocala Fire Rescue units consisting of Engines 1, 4, 6, and 7, Rescue 4, Tower 1, Battalion Chief 11 and 22, and a Safety Officer responded to 3394 SW College Road, which is the location of the former restaurant.
OFR’s units observed smoke escaping through the eaves and vents of the roof as they approached the building.
According to OFR, Engines 4 and 6 worked together to force entry on the west side doors. While searching for the fire, crew members encountered heavy dark smoke and intense heat.
Rescue 4 searched the building while Engine 1 and Engine 7 advanced an interior hose line from the south side. Crew members located the origin of the fire in the attic.
Tower 1 performed ventilation, which improved the visibility for the crew members inside the building.
OFR states that the fire was under control by 11:10 p.m.
The building, which is under renovation, was vacant at the time of the fire. There were no injuries reported.
The Ocala Police Department, Ocala Electric Utility, and Marion County Fire Rescue also responded.
The cause of the fire is undetermined.