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Two fires erupt in Tampa

After the first blaze is controlled downtown, a second ignites nearby.

By ALEXANDRA ZAYAS and JUSTIN GEORGE
Published March 6, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Justin Cook] Firefighters battle a blaze at an abandoned warehouse Monday night in downtown Tampa.

TAMPA - Downtown Tampa's north side lit up with flames eight stories high Monday night as firefighters battled blazes in two buildings a block apart, threatening a nearby residential condominium tower and motel.

The first, at Franklin and Harrison streets about 10:40 p.m., destroyed a vacant commercial building and sent tufts of ash raining all over downtown. It was under control shortly after 11 p.m.

Then, with operations winding down, a three-story building at the southwest corner of Tyler and Franklin streets erupted into flame, burning bigger and brighter than the first.

Fifty firefighters responded to the first blaze with 10 engines and three ladder trucks. The second blaze - not under control until 1 a.m. - drew every available unit in the city, with county firefighters on full alarm standby to help.

Authorities had not ruled out arson but also theorized that embers drifted from one building to the next.

Firefighters and investigators were expected to be at the scene much of the day today, and a portion of Tyler Street near Franklin is closed.

Last night, Tampa police combed downtown rooftops to check for further fires. Firefighters wet down some adjacent structures.

Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Bill Wade likened it to the May 2000 Ybor City fire, in which flames jumped buildings, destroying a $33-million apartment complex and post office.

The Marriott Residence Inn had about 65 guests Monday night. Some peeked out windows to watch the second fire as the smell of smoke filled the lobby. Heat could be felt in the streets a block away.

Five Domino's Pizza employees stood on corner, marveling.

"Lock it up," said Domino's manager Belitza Salgavo, 23.

People left the Hub bar and took pictures with their camera phones. They pulled over on Florida Avenue and gawked. Orange flames reflected off downtown windows as if they were mirrors. Firefighters squawked worries about water pressure.

Ronald Nesper said he saw the second building catch fire and told a police officer, who alerted firefighters.

After the first fire began, Joe Villareal looked outside the Residences of Franklin Street and saw a police officer shining a flashlight.

He saw smoke and called neighbor Chad Miker. Miker and girlfriend Denise Haas went to the roof.

"We went to the roof and we saw this big fireball," Miker said.

Within minutes, the two dozen occupants of their building were evacuated.

Haas, standing outside in her sweats with their dog Dolce, watched flames.

Lou Prida was there, too, worried about the condominium building he owns.

Well after midnight, all over downtown, the worries continued, as firefighters stood vigil.

[Last modified March 6, 2007, 07:35:12]