Several corpses were spared inadvertent cremation when fire broke out at a funeral home on Saturday night but were extinguished by Tampa Fire Rescue, before the building was consumed in flames.
Officials say, a passerby saw flames coming from the Integrity Funeral Home on 7th Avenue around 11:00 p.m. and alerted fire crews, who arrived on the scene and immediately began attacking the fire. Investigators say, the fire began in the rear of the building in an air conditioning unit on the outside of the building and had spread into the attic space.
Tampa Fire Rescue fire fighters were able to bring the fire under control in about 40 minutes and were able to prevent the flames from spreading and consuming the entire single story structure. No injuries were reported.
Investigators declined to say how many bodies were inside the funeral home, but said, fire and smoke damage were kept way from the bodies.
Damage is estimated to be about $50,000.
The fire was extinguished with the assistance of four fire engines, 1 ladder truck, and about 26 responders from neighboring fire houses. Two rescue cars and 2 chief officers were also present at the scene.
