Troopers Help Family Burned Out of Home

When Florida Highway Patrol Troopers spotted flames coming from a Plant City home early Wednesday morning, they wasted no time in responding.

The first priority after the blaze was spotted at 3815 Sparkman Road was to make sure the residents were evacuated safely, an email to media from the patrol stated. As that job was completed, fire rescue crews arrived on the scene and were able to put out the flames.

Those flames didn’t die down in time to save the family’s possessions, Sgt. Steve Gaskins said via email.

Within the next few hours, Troopers and the community rallied behind the family, he noted, “purchasing the needed school supplies and other necessities.”

Plant City’s Walmart even pitched in with gift cards.

Other donations are still needed, however. Gaskins said items may be dropped off at the highway patrol’s Lakeland, 3247 Lakeland Hills Blvd., or Tampa, 11305 N. McKinley Drive, stations.

The family includes a mother, a 13-year-old girl who attends Marshal Middle School, and an 8-year-old boy with Down syndrome who attends Wilson Peters in Dover.

The family is in need of clothing, a computer for the daughter to use in middle school and other items.

Gaskins said the clothing sizes are as follows:

• The mom – Large, 14
• The son – 6-7
• Daughter – Medium, 6-7

The highway patrol has not released the names of the family members.

Photos courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol