Gas Line Leak Causes Apartment Fire in New Tampa

A gas line leak from a hot water heater caused a fire at a New Tampa residence early this morning.

No one was injured, fire officials said, but fire, water and smoke damage was reported.

Shortly after 4:20 a.m. this morning, Tampa Fire Rescue responded to a report of a structure first at 10529 Cedar Pine Drive off Cross Creek Boulevard. First-responders extinguished a small fire in the laundry room that had been contained by an activated fire-sprinkler head.

A 60-year-old mother and her 34-year-old daughter had exited the apartment to leave for the airport when they heard a small explosion inside, according to Tampa Fire Rescue. They went back into the apartment, discovered the fire and called 911.

Tampa Fire Rescue said there was water damage to the apartment caused by the sprinkler, along with some “minor fire and smoke damage.” Two apartments below received some “moderate to minor” water damage, too.

Fire Investigator Chris Stone from the Tampa Fire Marshal's Office determined the fire was caused by a gas line leak from the hot water heater, likely ignited by the heater's pilot light.

Affected residents will be temporarily relocated during the cleanup, according to Tampa Fire Rescue. An estimated 22 responders were on scene from the New Tampa, North Tampa and Downtown fire stations.