Bomb Squad Summoned To Check Northdale Home That Caught Fire

NORTHDALE, FL -- The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office bomb squad is conducting a precautionary check of a home that burned down last night on Norwood Drive.

The sheriff's office said numerous weapons, ammunition and flame throwers were found during an initial inspection of the home.

The presence of live ammunition complicated attempts by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue to douse the fire at 16311 Norwood Drive in the Northdale Golf Club community.

According to officials, at 7:20 p.m. on Monday, neighbors reported that the house was on fire. Prior to the fire, neighbors say they heard an argument and some bangs inside the home around 7 p.m.

When firefighters arrived, flames were shooting from the roof. Firefighters were attempting to douse the flames when what the live ammunition inside the home began exploding, sending firefighters running for cover.

As a precaution, firefighters evacuated six surrounding homes and summoned the sheriff's bomb squad.

"The dangerous complication here was ammunition stored within the home, which was exploding due to the flames," said fire rescue spokesman Eric Seidel. "It took us nearly an hour to bring this one under control. Thankfully, there were no injuries."

Officials are investigating the cause of the fire but say arson is suspected.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office isn't saying if the fire is connected to a nearby home break-in that occurred around the same time (see related story).

Patrick O'Brien, 53, the lead guitarist for the death metal band Cannibal Corpse, was arrested following that break-in after he reportedly charged a deputy with a knife.

Image via Hillsborough Fire Rescue

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