Firefighters respond to Marina Bay blaze

Firefighters responded early Saturday morning to reports of smoke at Marina Bay condominium.
Longboat Key Fire Rescue units arrived first at the scene. Sarasota, West Manatee and Cedar Hammock fire departments responded to a request for assistance.

Firefighters contained the blaze to the north elevator electrical room. The incident didn’t result in damage to the building.

Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi wrote in an email to Town Manager Dave Bullock that the department has concerns with gaining access to units in the building that he will address next week when he visits the complex and meets with the property manager.

Commissioner Jack Duncan, a Marina Bay resident, praised the department for its response.

“When it’s close to home that’s one thing. When it happens in your condo complex that really gets your attention,” he wrote in an email to Dezzi.

In a subsequent email, Duncan wrote to Dezzi that he plans to take advantage of a new voluntary home inspection program.

Beginning this month, Longboat Key Fire Rescue will offer home inspections to residents who request the service.

The inspection will consist of testing smoke detectors, determining clear accesses, electrical panel accessibility and identifying hazards such as storage of flammables and chemicals. Residents will receive an inspection report with recommendations for avoiding fire and injuries.

To schedule a home inspection, call the department at 316-1944.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].