Brush Fire Destroys 4 Acres at Ashington Estates

Two 13-year-old boys playing with matches sparked a brush fire that destroyed four acres in the Ashington Estates subdivision Thursday evening.

No injuries were reported, but 14 fire vehicles responded to the scene to battle the blaze on the 17000 block of Emerald Chase Drive, said Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Lonnie Benniefield.

A local seventh-grader, whose name we are not using because of his age, said he and a friend were playing with matches when the woods went up in flames.

What did he learn?

“Never play with matches ever,” said the youth, adding he immediately called authorities after unsuccessfully trying to put out the fire once it was sparked.

Residents gathered on the sidewalk as rescue crews saturated the wooded area with water. Evacuations were not necessary but neighbors said the flames still came too close for comfort.

The blaze started around 6:30 p.m. First-responders arrived within minutes and were able to control the fire within an hour, Benniefield said.

“I saw smoke and the woods were just engulfed,” said witness Carli Minacci, who took pictures of the action with her cellphone.

A fellow neighbor said she doubts the two juveniles realize the situation could have ended in greater destruction or even death. 

“They came away from the woods and were cheering, ‘We did it! We did it!’” said the woman who did not want to be identified. “I was in shock.”

No official word on any disciplinary action for the boys, but a fire official said they likely will be required to take part in a juvenile fire setter's program for their actions.

No other details about the incident were immediately available.

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