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Blaze Destroys $900,000 Home After Patio Grill Left Unattended

JAY NOLAN / The Tampa Tribune

Fire gutted this home in Lutz Monday night.

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By JOSH POLTILOVE and MIKE WELLS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 12, 2007

Updated: 12/11/2007 11:55 pm

LUTZ - A fire that destroyed a $900,000 home Monday apparently started when the occupant walked away from a barbecue grill after turning up the burners to clean it.

The man told investigators he went to take a phone call and returned to the patio less than 30 minutes later after hearing noises, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue spokesman Bruce Delk said.

He found the grill surrounded by flames.

Firefighters responded about 10 p.m., Delk said. It took 25 firefighters to battle the blaze, and they had to use water tenders. There are no hydrants in the area.

Their effort to douse the flames would have been made easier if a hydrant had been nearby, Delk said.

"Whenever you have a water supply right there ... that would have made a difference," Delk said.

Also, nearby roads have speed tables, which slowed the arrival of fire engines, Delk said. When crews arrived, flames were shooting through the roof. It took at least three hours to put out the fire.

The occupant, who was home alone, escaped uninjured with his two dogs.

The Hillsborough County property appraiser's Web site says the home belongs to William and Linda Morris. The market value of the home is listed as $895,505.

William and Linda Morris' family members could not be reached for comment.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691 or jpoltilove@tampatrib.com.

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