BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — A home set to go to a disabled veteran was destroyed in a July 4th fire that investigators believe may have been sparked by fireworks. 


What You Need To Know



Property owner Brian Phelan looks at the broken Brooksville home with a broken heart. 

“A lot of hard work and labor down the drain,” said Phelan.

The house on Boca Raton Street caught fire on the Fourth of July. 

Hernando County Fire Rescue suspects it started from a firework spark. 

“It was a heartbreak. We were trying to do something good and it’s fallen on its face,” said Phelan.

The house was one of seven homes Phelan owns on the property, all rented out to people facing tough times. 

“I was kind of in a difficult situation so Brian fixed this place up for me,” said tenant Debbie Hunt

“He helps people that have problems and he works them through it,” said tenant John Korcz. 

This home in particular, was reserved for disabled veterans. 

A veteran himself, Phelan says it’s his duty to give back. 

“I don’t have a good way to explain it, but I lost most of my friends in Vietnam and maybe this is a chance for me to help someone out,” said Phelan, fighting back tears.

If you would like to help Phelan in any way, you can email him at phel5@msn.com.

Hernando County Fire Rescue estimates the damage to be about $15,000.