KRISTAL ROBERTS
ABC Action News
Reprinted with Permission

TAMPA - Hillsborough Fire investigators are trying to determine what started a massive 3 alarm blaze at a warehouse near the Port of Tampa.


The 10,000 square foot warehouse, which is owned by Electrical Engineering Enterprises, is located at 6115 Hartford Street, which is west of Progress Village. Flames were seen shooting through the roof of the building, hours after the fire was first reported.

Crews were first dispatched shortly after 3:30 p.m.

The billowing smoke emanating from the fire could be seen from many points of the Tampa Bay area. Fire officials said the smoke is likely being caused by the materials that the company uses to restore electrical transformers, including mineral oil.

There were also several propane tanks explosions, according to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. It is an operating warehouse, but no one was working there today.

The fire was dangerously close to Richie Montalvo's farm. Police cars blocked him from getting to his 20 hours. Others gathered to figure out what was going on.

"It was just a big plume at first, then it rose straight up," said David Keller who drove over from Brandon with his son.

"it was almost like it blew up into a mushroom."

The warehouse will likely be a total loss, officials said. There is no information yet on what started the fire. There are some homes near this industrial area but no evacuations were ordered.

One fire truck was damaged as firefighters battled the blaze.