Please be advised that on the afternoon of October 15, 2020, in the 100 block of Sunset Beach Drive near U.S. 41 in Venice, Sarasota County, Florida, there was an explosion and two-alarm fire in a household, causing at least two people serious injuries. The injured were airlifted to burn centers from the scene. From initial reporting and investigating, the fire happened due to ammunition exploding. Sarasota County Fire Department, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Nokomis Fire Rescue and Venice Fire Department all responded to the incident same day. The fire was reported under control in less than an hour from the time firefighters began pouring water. The Sarasota Sheriff’s Office will be investigating if there was any wrongdoing in this incident, and the State Fire Marshal will determine the cause of the fire. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those involved in this incident, including those injured and their families. According to The National Fire Protection Association, October is Fire Prevention Month. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge made a Presidential proclamation naming the second week of Fire Prevention Week. Both the week and month are used to provide education to communities across the United States on important fire safety aspects. For instance, while it is important to have smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, it is also important to test them monthly and to have a plan if they ever go off. We hope that in light of this month and what has tragically devastated our community this past week, we can all take more precautions and increase our awareness of the importance of fire safety.
South Venice ammunition explosion causes injuries and airlift