Fire destroys $1.8M home

Neighbors say a lightning storm was passing in the area just before smoke was seen.

By JACOB H. FRIES
Published June 9, 2007

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ST. PETERSBURG -- Walking to his driveway Friday afternoon, Jim Brakeman smelled smoke, then quickly discovered its source: the palatial, $1.8-million home next to his.

Brakeman, 52, said he ran up the front steps of the smoldering house and pounded on the door. No one answered, and he sprinted home to call 911.

"The firefighters were here quick," he said. "They took it seriously and probably helped to save my house."

The house next door, at 315 First Ave. S in Tierra Verde, wasn't so lucky. The fire, reported at 5:15 p.m., ripped through the attic and knocked down the roof, causing the second-story floor to collapse under the weight, fire officials said.

It took 50 firefighters more than an hour to bring the blaze under control and by the end, the tony 8,800-square-foot house was destroyed. "A total loss," said assistant fire Chief Bill Jolley.

No one was inside the house at the time. The owners, Larry and Debbie Rhum, are out of the country on vacation. They could not be reached Friday evening.

Brakeman said the couple lived alone in the house for the past five years. Larry Rhum owns Greenview Landscaping Inc., state records show.

Neighbors said a lightning storm had passed over the neighborhood shortly before the smoke was seen, but Jolley said the cause of the fire was undetermined Friday evening.

Shortly after firefighters arrived, it became clear the flames had reached the attic, raising the possibility the roof would collapse, Jolley said. Firefighters then took a defensive approach, leaving the house and shooting water from raised ladders.

"It was what we call 'surround and ground,'" said fire Capt. Kelley Palenius.

Jacob H. Fries can be reached at jfries@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8872.