GIBSONTON, Fla. — Traffic was snarled Monday morning on U.S. Highway 41 in Hillsborough County as crews finished battling a large house fire.
According to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, crews were called around 4 a.m. Monday to U.S. 41, also known as the S Tamiami Trail, just south of Symmes Road after getting calls from multiple drivers reporting a large fire some distance from the road.
Arriving crews reported seeing a large column of smoke coming from the distance and knew the blaze was still burning. When they got to the house, crews said the flames had fully engulfed the structure.
Firefighters battled the blaze for close to a half hour before bringing the fire under control.
The home was reported abandoned, according to fire rescue. No one was hurt.
The fire is still under investigation.
Due to the response to the fire, Florida Highway Patrol reported road closures in the area of the fire. Sky 10 flew over the area around 6:30 a.m. showing a large backup of cars. Drivers were encouraged to find another route if possible. The road was fully reopened around 9 a.m.