Raging fire scorches Plant City historic district

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

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The flames were so intense they blew out the glass storefront of this business.

A massive fire destroyed almost an entire city block in the historic section of Plant City Monday night.

The fire started about 9:30 p.m. at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Collins Street. Investigators said the cause is still under investigation, but firefighters on the scene said they think it may have sparked in an electronics shop on MLK. That's where the first alarm originated.

No one was injured, but approximately six businesses were destroyed. The extent of the damage has not been determined.

"I was in the back finishing the dishes and I smelled the smoke," said

At least six businesses were destroyed.

Brian Garrett, co-owner of the Fireside Café. "I went back in the alley and I saw the smoke coming from the eave of the building and I went and checked our kitchen to make sure there was nothing burning back there."

Garrett called 911 and firefighters responded immediately, but they had to adjust their plan when they saw the huge flames.

"We had to go into a defensive mode of operation where we knew we would be unable to fight the fire inside, and we requested additional resources and mutual aid from Hillsborough County Fire, the City of Tampa and Lakeland Fire," Plant City Fire and Rescue Chief Bill Bowers said.

The fire ignited close to a set of train tracks. CSX Railroad had to stop some of its deliveries because of tire equipment on the tracks.

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