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Fire destroys rural family home in Odessa

 
Published April 7, 2015

TAMPA — A fire destroyed a single-family home in rural Odessa late Monday afternoon, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue said.

Two adults escaped the house unscathed before the blaze engulfed the home, which borders Garden Lake at 12221 Garden Lake Circle. Their chocolate lab was also okay, though Fire Rescue spokeswoman Nacole Revette said its leg and paw suffered minor injuries and crews used a pet mask to give it oxygen.

It took about 2-1/2 hours to extinguish the fire, and crews had to use tankers from Pasco County and Eastlake Fire Rescue because the neighborhood doesn't have hydrants.

The Fire Marshal's Office had not determined a cause as of Monday night and did not report a damage estimate.

Though American Red Cross temporary shelter was offered, the couple declined help as they have a travel trailer to live in temporarily.

"It's basically just a shell," Revette said of the home. "There's not going to be anything for them to go home to."