Two guinea pigs perish in Hernando home damaged by fire
Citrus County Fire Rescue (CCFR)
Hernando, Florida – At 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2025, Citrus County Fire Rescue )responded to a residence located on E. Rugby Trail in Hernando due to a reported structure fire.
Firefighters arrived at the location to find a double-wide mobile home with heavy fire and smoke showing. Crews from numerous fire stations arrived on scene and initiated a coordinated interior attack of the fire and established water supply operations. Firefighters confirmed that no occupants were inside the home, although two pet guinea pigs were found deceased. The fire was brought under control and fully extinguished without any injuries to any responders. All units cleared the scene by 2:37 p.m.
Damages to the property and contents was estimated at approximately $117,000. Victim advocate services were requested to assist the family. The detached garage on the property was not affected, and the family has been able to temporarily remain on-site with support from partner agencies.
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.
Crews determined that no smoke detectors were present in the home at the time of the fire.
Safety Message
Working smoke detectors save lives. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas. Test them monthly and replace batteries at least twice a year. Early detection provides critical seconds to escape and can drastically reduce the risk of injury or death in a fire.
IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE, CALL 9-1-1.
Citrus County Fire Rescue Contact Information:
Business Office Location: 1520 N. Meadowcrest Blvd.. Crystal River, Florida 34429;
Non-Emergency Phone: (352) 527-5406.
Website: www.CitrusCountyFire.com
Social Media: x.com/CitrusCoFire and Facebook.com/CitrusCountyFireRescue.