(OCALA, Fla.) July 17, 2022 – On Saturday, July 16, Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) responded to passersby's reports of a fire in the vicinity of Marion Technical College.

OFR's Engines 1, 3, 4, and 7, Rescue 3, Tower 1, Squad 7, Battalion Chief 11, and a Safety Officer were dispatched to SW 10th Street and SW 7th Road at 7:53 p.m.

A column of black smoke was visible as units made their way to the fire scene.

Firefighters arrived at 7:54 p.m. to find the Technical Services Department of Marion County Public Schools, 1101 SW 7th Rd., on fire.

Crews breached the exterior fence to access the property where the building with smoke billowing from eaves on all four sides was located.

Firefighters entered the unoccupied building to find a zero-visibility environment. Searching for the fire, crews made their way throughout the interior, locating the seed of the fire in the rear center of the multi-use building.

Firefighters contained the fire to the area of origin. The incident was under control by 8:28 p.m.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

Marion County Fire Rescue's (MCFR) Engine 10, Ladder 2, District 1, assisted with fire operations. MCFR's ALS 1 was on stand-by. The Ocala Police Department also responded.