Latest news with #HillsboroughCountyFireRescue
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
WATCH: Cats reunited with family after rescue from burning Brandon home
BRANDON, Fla. (WFLA) — Two cats were rescued after a large blaze broke out at a Brandon home early Friday morning. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue crews said they saw heavy flames and thick smoke coming from the roof of the Caliente Drive home as they arrived shortly after midnight. Severely emaciated Great Dane 'grateful' after Polk deputies rescue her, Terrier sibling All residents had safely made it out of the home, but firefighters learned the family's pets were still trapped inside. Crews went into the smoke-filled home and managed to find the two frightened felines. Video showed the cats clinging to their rescuers as they came out of the burning house. Smiling faces greeted the animals, with one woman sharing a heartwarming moment with a firefighter as he returned her pet to her arms. 'Thank you so much, oh my God,' she said. Firefighters had the blaze under control in just about 15 minutes after their arrival. Authorities said the cause of the fire was still under investigation Friday. There were no injuries reported. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Crews battle early morning fire at Brandon home
The Brief Crews fought a house fire in Brandon early Friday, according to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. It happened in the 700 block of Caliente Dr. Fire officials say everyone inside the home made it out safely, and no injuries were reported. BRANDON, Fla. - Firefighters worked early Friday to put out a fire at a home in Brandon, according to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. What we know HCFR says crews responded shortly before 12:30 a.m. to multiple calls reporting a fire in the 700 block of Caliente Dr. Firefighters found heavy flames shooting through the roof, according to officials, but they were able to get the fire under control within 15 minutes. Fire rescue says everyone inside the home made it out safely before first responders arrived, and no injuries were reported. What we don't know The cause of the fire is under investigation. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source This story was written with information from Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
PHOTOS: Brush fire at Alafia River State Park
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Three brush fires swept through Alafia River State Park on Sunday. Officials said the fires were likely caused by lightning strikes in the area, and the fires spread over a few hundred acres of the park. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and the Florida Forestry Service responded to the fire, which covered around 400 acres before it was contained. HCFR said no injuries were reported and no structures were at risk, though residents may smell lingering smoke. Have photos or video you want to share? Submit them through WFLA Report It Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Crews contain 400-acre brush fire within Alafia River State Park: HCFR
The Brief Crews have contained a 400-acre brush fire within the Alafia River State Park, according to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. 22 HCFR units were called to the scene, and they engaged in firefighting efforts for several hours. Hillsborough County officials said that this was the biggest brush fire they've dealt with so far this season in the county. RIVERVIEW, Fla. - A 400-acre brush fire at Alafia River State Park near Thatcher Road has been contained, according to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. 22 HCFR units were called to the scene, and they engaged in firefighting efforts for several hours. The smoke could be seen and smelled throughout the surrounding area. Residents in the surrounding areas should be aware that smoke or the smell of smoke may be present throughout the night. The Florida Forestry Service helped HCFR to build lines around the fire. Big picture view Hillsborough County officials said that this was the biggest brush fire they've dealt with so far this season in the county. READ: VIDEO: Woman shot, killed by deputy after she shot her daughter: HCSO Crews have demobilized most of their units but will continue monitoring the area for continued safety assurance. HCFR says that no injuries have been reported, and no structures were damaged. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was provided by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hillsborough County reassessing funds for housing
Just over a month after local faith leaders and advocates asked Hillsborough County commissioners for their continued commitment to creating affordable housing, the board voted Wednesday to remove money earmarked for that purpose. Hillsborough commissioners tentatively voted 5-2 to repeal an ordinance requiring $10 million of the county's budget go toward its affordable housing fund. Language to make the change happen will have to come back to the commission at a future date for a public hearing and second vote. Commissioner Chris Boles originally motioned to have staff draft language that would require all new money allocated to the affordable housing fund be used for public safety instead. Instead, the board voted to kill the earmark for affordable housing. Boles said he brought up the issue Wednesday because of upcoming budget discussions, and will likely look toward other avenues for increasing spending on public safety. 'I know there are affordable housing needs in our community,' said Boles, who was previously a battalion chief with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. 'But in that same token, I won't apologize for supporting our first responders.' The County Commission created the HOPE Affordable Housing Act trust fund in 2019. It came in response to pleas from the group Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality. The group includes more than two dozen multicultural and interfaith congregations in Hillsborough that advocate for social justice issues. County commissioners named the affordable housing fund after the organization. Every year, the county administrator is required to direct $10 million of the county's budget to the fund. But, commissioners can vote on how to use it. For the past two years, commissioners voted to use only $2 million for housing and diverted the remaining $8 million to other areas. Boles said affordable housing already receives local, state and federal funds. Most public safety money comes from local taxpayers. 'If we don't have a safe community,' Boles said, 'no one will want to live here even if they can afford it.' He said it is taking longer for public safety officials to respond to calls, and the Sheriff's Office needs 500 more deputies because of population growth. More than 60% of the county's current budget goes toward public safety, Commissioner Gwen Myers said during the meeting. The county is slated to receive $709 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Around 56% of the money, or $397 million, is required to be spent on affordable housing over six years. The county will have to pay out of pocket and get reimbursed for money spent under the grant. 'Would you rather come here and talk about $2 million that you may not get?' Boles said. 'Or would you rather spend your time and effort lobbying for the $397 million?' Commissioner Joshua Wostal said the current affordable housing ordinance is 'anti-democratic' because it dictates how future boards can use money. Wostal emphasized that his support for Boles' motion was not against the Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality and is not ending affordable housing funding. 'There are different pots of money that are already allocated for this,' Wostal said. Myers and Harry Cohen were the two 'no' votes. Cohen said he was supportive of providing money for the sheriff, but there 'isn't an identifiable need' for more funding for his staff — he returns unspent money to the county every year, Cohen said. 'To take the countywide affordable housing funds that the board has shown its capable of allocating any way it wants is not a sensible way to move forward,' Cohen said. Several speakers with the advocacy group came to Wednesday's meeting. In an emailed statement to the Tamp Bay Times, leaders of the group wrote that the fund helped create nearly 1,100 affordable homes. 'We call on the Commissioners to face the facts, hear their constituents, and reverse this flawed decision,' their statement read. 'The future of Hillsborough County—and the well-being of thousands—depends on it.' Kimberly Overman, a former county commissioner and the founder of the Housing Leadership Council of Tampa Bay, also attended and spoke Wednesday. 'By doing this, there won't be instructions to the county administrator to allocate money toward that program,' she told the Times after the meeting, 'which I find maddening, given how much of a housing crisis we have in Hillsborough County.' Overman pushed back on council members' statements that funding from the housing department was substantial for addressing housing needs. The county first has to commit to spending money on affordable housing. And if it does, reimbursement from the federal government often lags. 'To expect our local residents to trust the federal government's promise of providing these dollars', she said, 'is asking a lot, especially given current federal budgetary conversations that are going on.'
