Florida man’s load catches Hummer on fire after lighting cigarette

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hummer fire, gas hoarder, ocala news, ocala post

Homosassa, Florida — On Wednesday, May 12, Citrus County Fire Rescue had to be dispatched to a vehicle fire at South Alabama Avenue and West Grover Cleveland Boulevard, Homosassa.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a Hummer engulfed in flames.

Responding to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ state of emergency order due to the Colonial Pipeline cyberattack,  a Florida man, who is also the owner of the vehicle, was hoarding gas and had filled up four 5-gallon gas containers at Texaco Food Mart on West Grover Cleveland Boulevard and placed them in the back of the SUV.

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Unofficially, authorities believe that the man lit a cigarette inside the vehicle after pulling away from the gas station.

The driver was injured but refused to be transported to a hospital against medical advice.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection was notified and had to coordinate the cleanup of the fuel spill.

Fire crews responded to the scene at 10:59 a.m and had the scene cleared by 1:36 p.m.