Photo By Greg Hoggatt, Orlando Fire Department

Orlando, Fla.— Fire units responded to reports of a two-alarm apartment fire. Units reported being able to see a column of smoke from the station and from downtown several miles away. Upon arrival, units reported heavy fire from a second-floor apartment that had extended into the attic area. The responding district commander immediately ordered the second alarm, bringing out 16 units and more than 40 firefighters and command officers.

Crews initially started to stretch an 1 3/4" handline and immediately realized that they needed to extend a 3" handline with a gated wye for effective firefighting. Orlando's SOPs call for the immediate evaluation of the long end of the building to check for extension and hold the fire from extending further.

With a combined effort of engine, truck and rescue companies, the fire was held to the fire apartment with minor extension into two adjacent apartments. It took 45 minutes to control. Orlando's arson investigator determined that the fire started when a heat lamp used to warm an Iguana caught a blanket on fire.