Page 15 - Florida Sentinel 10-21-16 Online Edition

Feature
Fire Destroys East Tampa Store
On Monday night, a three-alarm fire was called in to Tampa Fire Rescue for the Big and Deals Supercenter, 4015 East Hillsbor- ough Avenue.
At 9:15 p. m., the first fire crew arrived and found heavy smoke coming from the northwest corner of the building.
Firefighters began flowing water to fight the blaze, and the incident commander called for a second alarm at 9:20 p.m. due to the size of the fire and the building.
The incident commander decided to fight the fire using a defensive attack due to the instability of the roof and to ensure the safety of the crews. Two aerial units were also flowing water onto the structure.
According to an employee of the store, four of them were working inside the build- ing when the fire started, and they were all accounted for and safely got out of the building.
Investigators from the Fire Marshal’s Of- fice began an investigation into the source and cause of the fire, and at 10:30 p.m., a third alarm was sent out.
Fire officials said the fire spread quickly because of the furniture and clothing inside the store. They also said the roof of the building collapsed, causing extensive dam- age.
Officials have not said the store is a total loss and even if the store reopens, it will be shut down for several months until repairs are made.
Investigators have determined that the cause of the fire was an electrical problem.
This is the aftermath of a fire that destroyed the Big and Deals Supercenter. (PHOTOS BY BRUNSON)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-B