OKEECHOBEE — Firefighters were unable to save a 1600-square-foot building when an electrical fire swept through the structure. According to a report from Okeechobee County Fire Rescue, Station four was dispatched to Northwest 160^th Street at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 28. When they arrived, they saw a large column of smoke and a building fully engulfed in flames. The roof had already collapsed into the building. The property manager told firefighters he did not know how the fire started, but the building was previously used as an office. It was no longer used and was vacant and uninsured. The fire was determined to have been electrical in origin.

OCFR was dispatched to a vehicle fire on Northeast 15^th Avenue on Oct. 29 at approximately 11 a.m., there was some confusion on where the vehicle was located, and the trucks were first sent to Northwest 50^th Drive and then to Northwest 15^th Street. Finally, the exact location was determined, and the crews found a skid steer loader on fire behind a residential structure that was being remodeled.  The skid steer was already 75% involved, the report states. They were able to extinguish the fire. The owner of the machine told the firefighters that they had been having electrical problems with it and had just gotten it back from the dealer. They had just begun to use it, and when it was difficult to start, they used jumper cables. As they were working, they began to smell a burning plastic odor and saw smoke. They got away from the machine and called 911.

On Nov. 2 at approximately 5 a.m., firefighters responded to a fire on U.S. 441 Southeast. When they arrived, they found an RV with fire on the passenger side of the vehicle. They were met by the property owner, who told them no one was living there, but the RV was used as a vacation home. Investigators determined the fire began in the refrigerator and then spread.

Engine four and Rescue four were dispatched to the viking Estates regarding a truck fire on Nov. 5 at approximately 11:30 a.m. Because there was fire in the woods around the truck, a brush truck from Station One was requested as well. They found the truck fully involved, and a grass fire was moving west towards heavier fuels and homes. They were able to extinguish the fire without reaching any homes.

A gas leak on Nov. 11 at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Northeast Park Street was the reason for a 911 call. Engine 12 and Rescue One were dispatched, and the property manager told them there was a strong odor of propane. He told them the building had been evacuated. Inside the building, nothing hazardous was found. Pilot lights on the gas appliances were not lit, and gas was secured. The gas company was contacted to investigate.

On Nov. 12 at approximately 2 p.m., firefighters responded to a semi fire on U.S. 441 North. When they arrived, they found a tractor trailer with flames and smoke coming from underneath the trailer. The two rear passenger tires were also on fire. The fire had even reached the material being hauled, but the firefighters were able to extinguish the fire.