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Briefs

Firefighters need 45 minutes to control half-mile brush fire

By Times Staff
Published May 2, 2006

TEMPLE TERRACE - Hillsborough County Fire Rescue responded to three separate reports of brush fires Monday, only to find they were part of a single half-mile fire.

Just after 7 p.m., the blaze stretched from Interstate 75 and Fletcher Avenue to Fowler Avenue, and to U.S. 301 and Bowles Road.

Eleven units responded from Hillsborough, Temple Terrace and Tampa fire departments. The fire was under control within 45 minutes.

No buildings were at risk, and no injuries were reported.

LITHIA - A 48-year-old Oldsmar man was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital after he fell 15 to 20 feet downhill while mountain biking at Alafia River State Park.

Hillsborough Fire Rescue spokesman Ray Yeakley said crews responded to a call at 6:35 p.m. But extrication took about an hour.

The accident took place near State Road 39 and County Road 672. Yeakley said crews used a specially designed rolling gurney designed to move over rough terrain with minimal discomfort to the victim.

Arthur Noderer, 48, of 140 Balsam Drive in Oldsmar, was wearing a helmet, but sheriff's officials said he struck his head. Another bicyclist came across him on the trail. His condition was not available late Monday.

TAMPA - Tampa Fire Rescue responded to two house fires Monday, each one leaving minimal to moderate damage.

Before 10 a.m., Christine Bucklon, 63, went out for a morning walk. When she returned, her home at 1004 E 22nd Ave. was on fire, Tampa fire marshals determined, due to an electrical short in a television cord. On scene just before 10 a.m., firefighters had the blaze under control within 20 minutes. The house was moderately damaged with losses estimated at $6,000.

Later, at 12:35 p.m., officials responded to a car and house fire at 2605 E 17th Ave. Lorenzo Roberts, 58, who resides at the address, was burning trash in a barrel outside, the fire marshal determined, when the flames spread from the barrel to leaves and then to the car and the house. The house sustained minimal damage; the 1996 Chrysler, which was inoperable, was destroyed. Losses were estimated at $500.

PLANT CITY - Hillsborough County deputies are seeking people involved in a 1 p.m. shooting Monday near a Circle K.

Ned Williams, 64, was sitting in a vegetable stand on his property at 4701 E Trapnell Road when two vehicles pulled into a nearby lot.

The vehicles' occupants got into a verbal confrontation, deputies said. As the vehicles, described as a green truck and a green SUV, began to leave, they exchanged gunfire, with one shot hitting Williams' leg.

Williams went to Lakeland Regional Medical Center with nonlife-threatening injuries.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at (813) 247-8200 or CrimeStoppers at (800) 873-8477.

[Last modified May 2, 2006, 01:57:13]