Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 5-28-21

Feature
Brush Fire In Area Of 22nd Ave. Sparked By CSX Train Threatens Home
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Residents along 22nd Avenue, between 29th and 32nd Streets, were fright- ened last Thursday, May 20, 2021, when sparks from a CSX train started a brush fire.
A resident in the area, Ms. Esther Ruth, was out birdwatching, enjoying the weather, when the train came through.
“A spark came from under the wheels of the train, and a fire started in the brush by the railroad track,” Ms. Ruth said. She immediately called 911 that
sent out the Fire Dept. She also alerted her neighbors, some of whom were not at home, because the fire was close to their property. Ms. Ruth shared with the Sentinel a video of the fires and the firefighters putting out the fires.
“I’ve tried many times to address CSX as well as the City of Tampa about the debris along the tracks. CSX cuts the tree limbs, but leaves the debris along the tracks,” she explained.
In the past Ms. Ruth has reached out to CSX and the City of Tampa about the fires.
“The City of Tampa said
it’s not their responsibility, and CSX has not re- sponded.”
Ms. Ruth said she was made aware last month that the owner of the lot where the fire actually started was fined for not keeping up his property as well as a lien placed against his property. Since then, however, the foliage has grown more.
“This is my late grand- mother’s home, and I try to maintain the property. It would be very nice if the City of Tampa as well as CSX would do their part in the surrounding area,” she said.
Firemen hose out the fires close to homes.
Area burned by the brush fire. Family home in the background.
Railroad track where the train passed and sparked the grass fire.
PAGE 8-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021