Residential workshop goes up in flames

A structure fire broke out in the Kingsland Ocala Waterways neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon [Caroline Brauchler/Ocala Gazette]

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Posted May 6, 2024 | Staff report

Four MCFR stations responded to a report of a residential-detached shop on fire in the Kingsland Ocala Waterways neighborhood this afternoon.

Homeowner, Gerald Brandt, said his daughter, Jennifer Brandt, noticed the fire around 3 p.m. today and called 911.

Gazette reporter Caroline Brauchler, who is doing a 24-hour ride along with Marion County’s busiest fire station, Friendship Station, which is located approximately five miles from the structure, said their engine left at 3:14 p.m. and arrived on scene by about 3:22 p.m.

Engine 32 beat the rest of the responders to be first on the scene. Station 32 is approximately 2 miles from the residence.

Personnel from Station 32 had water on the fire at 3:21 p.m. The fire was under control by 3:23 p.m., with the scene completely cleared by 4:33 p.m.

Stations 23 and 24 also responded.

Brandt says he spent time in the shop almost daily with “all sorts of tools you could think of.”  As he rattled off tools, “chop saw, table saw, shop vacuum, grinder, 3D printer, compressor,” there was a hint of disbelief in his voice.

Oscar Diaz, Homeowner Association President for Kingland Ocala Waterways, told the Gazette, he also called 911 before heading towards the fire to assist his neighbor.

“When I pulled in he [Brandt] was over there trying to put the fire out with a garden hose, and there was no use,” said Diaz adding he was worried the flames could have caught the house on fire.