TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Firefighters across Tampa Bay are standing ready to respond to emergency calls as the chilly weather continues to stick around.
Investigators are examining several fires throughout the region that sparked Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
In Largo, firefighters spent hours monitoring hotspots after a house caught fire on Mia Circle.
The cause of that fire is still under investigation.
However, firefighters say responding to calls during the cold snap has been different.
“It is colder right now,” said District Chief Bill Scott of Largo Fire Rescue. “It's a whole different way we manage calls. We go from the extreme heat, in this case, to extreme cold, so it is a little different how we respond to calls and how we take care of our firefighters.”
Another fire was reported at a duplex located at 53rd Avenue North in Lealman Thursday morning.
“The cause is electrical,” said Division Chief Jim Millican of Lealman Fire District. “The fire was believed to be caused between the circuit breaker panel and the Duke Energy meter on the side of the house.”
This year, fire departments in the area are noticing a significant drop in calls related to space heaters.
"Thank goodness," Chief Millican said. "We’re appreciative of that. It means the fire prevention is working, we’re getting the word out, and people are being responsible with the way they heat their homes."
However, more homeowners are reporting a distinct smell right after they turn on the heat inside their home.
“When you turn it on for the first time, there’s usually a little burning smell,” Millican said. “That's usually dust bunnies burning off the heat strips.”
“If you first turn on your heater and you experience that smell, don’t panic,” said Captain Henry Williams of Tampa Fire Rescue. “It might just be that dust that's burning off.”
The burning smell has been a benign trigger for smoke alarms, but fire crews are still encouraging the community to call 911 if they have any concerns.
“Never hesitate to call 911,” Capt. Williams said. “That's why we’re there. Just be aware that there's a potential, especially if it’s your first time using your heater.”
