Fire leaves couple homeless

One resident is swimming in her backyard pool when she sees the flames.

By CARRIE JOHNSON

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 25, 2001

HERNANDO -- Bob and Carol Bussinger had finished remodeling their Winnetka Street home just two weeks ago, having redone the bathroom and added a brand new big-screen television and sound system.

[Times photo: Steve Hasel] Two unidentified friends embrace Carol Bussinger, right, after fire destroyed her home on WInnetka Street in Hernando on Thursday. No injuries were reported.

But it all was reduced to ash and a pile of rubble in less than an hour Thursday afternoon.

Plumes of smoke were visible for more than a mile from the house as firefighters rushed to the 4 p.m. blaze. No injuries were reported.

The state Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

Part of the roof collapsed and smoke poured from every window. Hernando fire Chief Chad Coleman said the house, which appeared to be a mobile home on a concrete foundation, was destroyed.

Three fire companies were at the fire: Hernando, Beverly Hills and Citrus Springs. It took firefighters about 50 minutes to extinguish the flames.

Bussinger said his wife was swimming in the backyard pool when she noticed the flames. She rushed back inside to call 911 and rescue the family dog, a 15-year-old named Bud Dog, he said.

Bussinger was finishing the 10th hole at Spruce Creek Country Club when a woman ran out to tell him about the fire.

"I thought she had to be kidding," he said.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright