ST. PETE BEACH, FL – A mounting pile of hurricane debris caught on fire at a debris loading site in the area of Egan Park Tuesday night, WFLA reports.
It is unclear what exactly caused the fire, but a nearby resident, identified as Joan Welden, looked out the window and dialed 911 as fast as she could. Fire crews rushed to the scene and immediately extinguished the flames.
While no individuals were harmed in this incident, the growing pile of leftover debris from Hurricane and Milton does pose environmental concerns since pollutants are permitting, and thus also causing risk to residents’ homes and bodies, especially since many of the occupants are older and struggle with respiratory and cardiac disease.
WFLA initially reached out to city officials and asked why authorities choose this area specifically for the loading site, which is set to be a designated debris area for the next several weeks and days, and if fire trucks could be stationed there for any future potential fires but have not received a final answer.
Did you sustain injuries during a hurricane cleanup procedure? Or was your home affected or damaged by the recent hurricanes Helene or Milton? If so, you might want to consider reaching out to Whittel & Melton, LLC. Our Pinellas County personal injury and hurricane and storm damage claims lawyer is ready to provide customized legal support and representation tailored toward your unique situation and provide clarity and peace of mind with respect to your next steps going forward. Call our legal team today at 866-608-5529 or reach out online for a free, no-risk consultation.