An Ocala family is safe after fire damaged their home early Tuesday morning.
Dispatchers at the Marion County Public Safety Communications department received an emergency call from a homeowner at 13282 SW 2d Court, Ocala, at 1:42 a.m. The caller advised all occupants were out of the home and that smoke and flames were coming from the roof of the structure.
The 1,500-square-foot residence was approximately 25 percent involved when Engine 18 arrived first on scene at 1:53 a.m. Seventeen firefighters and 10 units were dedicated to the fire, which was under control at 2:02 a.m., less than 20 minutes after dispatchers received the initial emergency call. Crews made entry into the home with an offensive attack and contained the fire to a quarter of the residence.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal.