Kissimmee FL, 06-27-11

On Sunday night June 26th, 2011 at around 2230 hours Osceola County Fire/Rescue units were dispatched to 7514 West US Hwy 192, The Vacation Lodge Maingate for a reported fire, the complex consisted of multiple 2.5 story frame buildings each @50' X 30' which were connected together into 3 wings 1300' long and together spanning a total width of about 200', due to type of construction there were numerous voids and air shafts which allowed easy and rapid fire spread, the complex was initially built as a vacation destination but in recent years had transformed into a long term stay facility with 430 rooms. First due E-71 arrived and reported a working fire, an attack line was stretched into the fire apt however the fire had already spread into the voids and rapidly extended, burning thru-out the night and eventually destroying the entire complex and displacing 327 residents. All Osceola County Fire/Rescue co's responded to the scene along with mutual aid from Orange County Fire/Rescue, Lake County Fire/Rescue, Polk County Fire/Rescue, City of Kissimmee fire co's, City of Orlando fire co's and Reedy Creek Fire/Rescue co's. The fire was finally declared under control at around 1400 hours on 6/27/11, initial reports of a missing resident proved negative, several FF's were treated for minor injuries, the cause remains under investigation as of this writing and co's remained on the scene for several days. This has been reported as one of the largest structure fires in Central Florida history. Special thanks to Osceola County Firefighter Jay Jackson who escorted me around the fire scene and providing me with information.