Firefighters respond to Sarasota house fire

Sarasota County firefighters responded to a call of a structure fire at 11:45 a.m. Monday at 1013 Ponder Ave., according to 911 dispatch records. It is a three-alarm structure fire with possible hazardous materials and ammunition inside.

The house is near Sarasota Christian School. Some traffic lights between Bahia Vista Street and Palmer Boulevard will be affected and not working. Officials are requesting people avoid the area and find alternative routes.

Photo by Lesley Dwyer

"It started in his side yard right next to his trailer, and I called 911," Elizabeth Emory said.

Emory doesn't live in the neighborhood but regularly visits a friend on the street.

"He's got a bunch of junk in his yard, and it just lit up," Emory said. "That's why it's going so quickly, all that junk in his yard." 

It is a three-alarm structure fire with possible hazardous materials and ammunition inside. pic.twitter.com/lOsJ4apBK1

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Neighbors report they saw the owner of the home walking around, so although it's still unknown if anyone is inside, it's believed to be an empty house. 

Three firetrucks and a half-dozen other emergency vehicles had surrounded the house just after noon and were working to put out the blaze.

This is a developing story and will be updated.