CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — A fire that reportedly started from a lawn mower left significant damages to a home in Inverness Wednesday morning, fire officials said.
Citrus County Fire Rescue responded to a structure fire just after 3:30 a.m. on East Point O Woods Drive. Once they arrived, firefighters reported that the garage was engulfed in flames, and it had spread into the home.
Crews from multiple units were able to control the flames just after 4:00 a.m.
Officials said only the homeowner was inside. The resident reportedly woke up from the smoke detector, closed the interior garage door after seeing the flames and then safely left the house.
An investigation revealed the fire started from a gas-powered lawn mower in the garage. Crews said the lawn mower's 12-volt battery, which was connected to a trickle charger, likely malfunctioned and ignited nearby combustibles.
A neighbor told fire officials the lawn mower had been used earlier that day, and the trickle charger was in place at the time of the fire.
The fire, which was deemed accidental, damaged a 2015 Chevy Equinox that was parked in the garage. It also caused an estimated $238,581 in property loss and $159,054 in content loss, Citrus County fire officials said.
No firefighters were injured during the incident, and all crews reportedly cleared the scene just before 7:00 a.m.
Officials said the homeowner "declined medical attention" and was provided assistance to secure the home. No one else was reported to be injured or inside the home.
"This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of functioning smoke detectors and fire safety awareness," fire officials said in a press release. "Citrus County Fire Rescue commends the teamwork of all responding personnel, whose efforts successfully contained the fire and ensured the safety of the community."
