Multiple fire departments battled a mobile home blaze in High Springs and located a missing cat after the fire was extinguished early Wednesday morning.
According to a High Springs Fire Department (HSFD) release, firefighters from High Springs, LaCrosse, Newberry and Alachua County Fire Rescue responded at 5:26 a.m. to 26702 NW 160th Place for a reported building fire.
Upon arrival, a 2,300-square-foot mobile home was engulfed in heavy smoke and flames, prompting firefighters to add an extra tanker and engine company.
When firefighters entered the front door, they searched for a missing cat while extinguishing the fire. Heavy smoke and low visibility hampered the firefighters’ ability to reach the area with the most intense blaze.
“We started a very aggressive attack inside the room and above,” said HSFD Capt. Andy Burkhalter. “We even had fire below us; a partial floor collapse occurred. We deployed a second hose line to the back of the structure to access crawl spaces and overhead areas.”
The fire was extinguished by 7:02 a.m., and personnel searched for hidden fires and continued to look for the missing cat.
“I have three cats,” said HSFD firefighter/paramedic Rebecca Creech-Redding. “Where would my cats hide?”
Creech-Redding found the missing cat unharmed under a pile of boxes. The cat was removed, treated for smoke inhalation and reunited with her owner.
No injuries were reported, and the fire was reportedly caused by an electrical issue originating from under the home.