RIDGE MANOR, Fla. — A brush fire in Hernando County led to a significant emergency response and an ongoing investigation after it was determined that the fire was intentionally set.
Hernando County Fire Rescue (HCFR) says they responded Saturday afternoon to reports of an unauthorized burn around Primrose Lane and Mulberry Drive in Ridge Manor. Upon arrival, crews were met with a blaze consuming several acres of land.
As the fire threatened nearby structures, HCFR asked for additional assistance from the Florida Forest Service - Withlacoochee Forestry Center.
Firefighters’ collective efforts successfully protected several buildings from damage while containing the fire, which has since been fully extinguished.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident. However, the intentional nature of the fire has prompted local authorities, including the Florida Forest Service and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, to identify a person of interest as they continue their investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the fire to contact them.
“You know, it might just be time we take a look if HOAs are really even necessary.
Maybe we should just do away with homeowner associations as a whole.”
South Florida lawmaker Rep. Juan Carlos Porras (R-Miami) says it may be time to do away with homeowners associations altogether, as more Floridians speak out about rising fees, costly lawsuits, and even arrests tied to HOA disputes. He said this week that he is considering filing legislation in the next session that would abolish HOAs statewide.
