In every tragedy, there is always something to be ‘thankful’ for. Let’s take for example the fire at the southern end of Sebring, Florida last Friday: it was lucky that most of the residents were not on site and people stayed safe.

Friday, August 13, at 2 p.m., a home blaze in a mobile home distracted the quiet afternoon at Woody’s RV Resort on 4414 U.S. 27. It was the resort manager, Frank Erwin, who first noticed the fire and reported it.

He just got a Weed Eater out of the shed when he saw the smoke and flames then promptly called 911 for aid.

The DeSoto City Fire Department, Highlands County EMS and the Sebring Police Department were present to extend help. The phone call was a bit too late though. By the time the firefighters came to the rescue, the mobile home was already beyond rescue.

Though most of Woody RV Resort’s residents were not at home, according to SPD, the fire still caused some minor damage. As manager Erwin stated, the blazed home was next to the resort’s main office. There are no reports yet as to whether the damage on the office stayed on the outside or if it also affected the inside.

Those who were at Lakeview Drive said that clouds of black smoke reached that area.

Nearby residents have also been asked to move away from the fire.