Hawthorne Home Fire Sends One to Hospital, Dog Saved

HAWTHORNE – Fire crews from across eastern Alachua County responded Sunday night to a reported house fire off Southeast 215th Street, where fast action by firefighters helped contain the flames to the kitchen area and prevented the blaze from spreading through the two-story residence.

Units from Alachua County Fire Rescue, the Melrose Fire Department and the Windsor Fire Department were dispatched to the scene on Nov. 9 after receiving reports of an active structure fire. Upon arrival, ACFR’s Engine 62 located a small two-story home with visible fire in the kitchen.

Firefighters entered the house quickly and were able to knock down the flames before the fire extended to additional rooms. Crews then began a systematic search of the remainder of the structure, checking for hot spots, smoke pockets or other hazards. During that search, Engine 62 firefighters located and rescued a dog, uninjured, from inside the home.

One occupant of the residence was evaluated and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care. No information on the extent of injuries was immediately available.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Alachua County Fire Marshal, who will determine what sparked the blaze and whether any safety concerns remain.

Following the incident, Alachua County Fire Rescue reiterated the importance of fire safety and reminded the public to regularly check the batteries in home smoke detectors, a vital tool in early fire detection and lifesaving response.

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