Hernando County Injury Attorney :: Man Hospitalized After Fire Blazed Through Mobile Home South of Brooksville

August 13, 2013

A man was hospitalized Thursday night after a fire tore through his mobile home in a neighborhood south of Brooksville.

Firefighters arrived at the home around 6:20 p.m. and found the singlewide mobile home submerged in flames, according to Hernando County Fire Rescue District Chief Patrick Taylor.

Fire officials said a man who was home at the time of the blaze initially refused medical treatment but suffered burns serious enough to require hospitalization.

The man was taken by ambulance to Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport, and then flown by helicopter to Tampa General Hospital.

No other injuries have been reported. The man has four pet birds that all escaped unharmed.

Officials are currently investigating the cause of the fire.

Accidental fires in mobile homes can be quite dangerous to Brooksville residents. The number of deaths from mobile home fires account for twice as many fatalities from fires in other dwellings. In fact, ever year there are more than 22,000 fires in mobile homes, killing an estimated 500 people and injuring more than 1,000 more.

Mobile homes are commonly known for having construction defects that can cause or contribute to the start of a fire. Poor designs in the layout of a mobile home can trap occupants inside a trailer and poorly designed smoke alarms can lead to severe injuries and other damages. Other problems with mobile homes that can result in fires or prevent a quick exit should a fire ignite include:

• Flammable and/or toxic materials used on interior walls and ceilings
• Ineffective draft stops that prevent the spread of smoke and flames to attics and other spaces in the home
• Poorly designed or inadequately installed smoke detectors
• Upholstery materials like polyurethane foam and foam-filled products in seating, mattresses and other coverings that increase the dangers of house fires
• Defectively designed electrical systems

After a house fire, it is especially important to preserve crucial evidence from the site of the accident. If you or someone close to you has been injured in a Brooksville mobile home fire, contact a Hernando County Injury Lawyer at Whittel & Melton online or call us at 352-666-2121 to schedule a free initial consultation. If you are unable to come to us, we can travel to your home or hospital room. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, we may be able to recover financial compensation from the party responsible for starting the fire. We can manage the details of your case so that you and your loved ones can focus on making a full recovery and obtaining the peace of mind you deserve. Do not delay; we can begin helping you as soon as you contact us.