Botched WFLZ stunt starts blaze, injures firefighter

A radio station's turkey-frying stunt turned into a recipe for disaster this morning when an attempt to cook the frozen bird in a van resulted in the vehicle catching fire.

During a stunt for "The MJ Morning Show" on WFLZ, 93.3 FM, a grease fryer was placed inside the van, which had furniture in it that caught fire, Tampa Fire Rescue spokesman Capt. Bill Wade said.

WFLZ employees were supposed to lower the turkey into the van using a crane but never got a chance before flames engulfed the vehicle.

Firefighter Ken Licata injured his back during the incident at Clear Channel Radio, 4202 Gandy Blvd., Wade said. Capt. Licata, a firefighter for 26 years, was treated at a hospital and is now recovering at home.

About two hours after the fire, the other three members of Licata's crew had to fight another blaze without their captain available, Wade said.

It was initially reported one of the radio station's employees was injured, but WFLZ told Tampa Fire Rescue this afternoon that no one from the station was hurt.

Wade expressed anger over the stunt.

"They wanted a fire," Wade said. "They had no permits, no proper safety crews. When the fire got going, they called the fire department."

The morning show and stunt were streamed live on the station's Web site and recorded.

"We'll see what happens when we return," a disc jockey said before cutting to a commercial break, urging listeners to watch the escapade online. By the time the show resumed, the van was aflame.

Employees unsuccessfully tried to put out the fire.

The call to firefighters came about 8:20 a.m. The caller told the dispatcher that no one was in the flaming vehicle in the middle of the parking lot.

Two fire crews and a rescue car responded, Wade said.

"I am very upset that this radio station chose to do this stunt in an unsafe manner, causing injury to a firefighter," Wade said.

When reached by phone, WFLZ personality Todd Schnitt, known on the air as "MJ," declined comment, saying he would return a call later.

Investigators from the state and Tampa fire marshal's offices have handed their notes on the incident to the state attorney's office, which will determine whether charges will be filed.

In addition to WFLZ, Clear Channel operates several radio stations in the Tampa Bay area, including WDAE, 620 AM, and WFUS, 103.5 FM.