TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

SUV Glitch Suspected In Plant City House Fire

Mo Capobianco / News Channel 8

Plant City Fire Rescue is investigating if a defect in this 2000 Ford Expedition sparked a fire that destroyed most of the 3,000-square-foot home.

ADVERTISEMENT

By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 24, 2007

Photo Gallery

PLANT CITY - Investigators are looking into the possibility that a defect in an SUV parked in the driveway of a Walden Lake home sparked a fire this morning that destroyed most of the 3,000-square-foot structure.

The red 2000 Ford Expedition "caught on fire without anyone around" about 8:50 a.m., said Plant City Fire Rescue Training Chief David Burnett. The blaze spread quickly from the garage to the attic of Michael and Deborah Wolfe's home at 2710 Pine Club Drive.

Expeditions made between 1997 and 2002 were the subject of a massive recall in which certain components could overheat and cause a fire. Millions of Ford cars and trucks have been recalled in recent years because of a faulty cruise control switch that has been linked to garage fires.

Another recall involving 2000 and 2001 Expeditions involved a defective windshield wiper switch that was said to be a fire hazard.

Burnett said investigators are determining whether the Wolfes' vehicle was included in any recalls.

Deborah Wolfe was inside her house and had no idea that her vehicle was on fire until the flames started to engulf the garage, Burnett said. No one was injured and adjacent homes escaped damage.

Five fire engines from Plant City and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue responded to Walden Lake this morning to extinguish the blaze. Firefighters remained on the scene through the early afternoon.

Tribune researcher Buddy Jaudon contributed to this report. Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT