(OCALA, FL.) Feb. 7, 2025 - Ocala Fire Rescue responded to a structure fire at Berkley Pointe Apartments, 2869 NE 7th St., at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6.

Engines 2, 3, and 5, along with Rescue 5, Tower 1, Battalion Chief 22, and a Safety Officer, arrived to find heavy black smoke pouring from a first-floor apartment unit. The unit's occupants had evacuated the building.

Engine 5 made their way through the smoke-filled living room and into the fire room in the back of the apartment, while Engine 3 began exterior efforts, dousing the flames from the fire room's window. The dual approach helped contain the fire to the room of origin.

As the firefight ensued, Rescue 5 conducted a primary search of the unit, finding and rescuing the family's cat. Engine 2 assisted by clearing adjacent apartment units and aiding in ventilation.

Once the flames were extinguished, crews checked for hot spots that could rekindle.

The fire, determined to be electrical in nature, displaced one adult, two children, and their cat.

While no injuries were reported at the scene, an occupant from an unrelated apartment unit was transported to a local hospital following a concern raised to EMS personnel.

Additional agencies that responded to the scene included the Fire Prevention Division, the Ocala Police Department, the Building Department, Ocala Electric Utility, and Marion County Fire Rescue.