St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue responded to 6896 16th Street North for a single story residential structure fire.
When fire crews arrived on scene they found heavy black smoke and flames coming from the rear of the structure. The first in Engine Company made a fast attack on the fire and quickly extinguished it. There were two residents home at the time of the fire.
In addition, a Pinellas County Sheriff Officer was in the area at the time of the fire and responded to the home. Officer Dan Weber arrived on scene just ahead of the fire department. When Officer Weber arrived on scene he sprung into action and quickly alerted the occupants about the fire. One of the occupants was sleeping at the time of the fire. Officer Weber made entry and had to assist the elderly home owner out of the house.
The structure did not have smoke alarms to alert the occupants. Early detection of this fire would have allowed the family to escape sooner. At this time, the fire is under investigation and no cause has been determined.
