PHOTO BY JIM HOBART, LEGACY LIFE PROJECT
A house fire broke out Saturday afternoon at a Lake Eola Heights home that has been at the center of a monthslong legal battle between its owners and the City of Orlando.
The Orlando Fire Department responded to the 600 block of East Concord Street just before 2 p.m. Crews arrived to heavy fire at the rear of the two-story home, with flames threatening to spread to a neighboring house.
According to OFD, first-arriving crews deployed hose lines and began searching the home for occupants. Interior crews faced zero-visibility conditions and high heat during the initial entry. A second alarm was requested due to the size of the fire and the risk to the adjacent property. Four hose lines were ultimately used to put out the fire and keep it from reaching the neighboring home. Crews were able to bring the fire under control before it extended to that structure.
No injuries were reported, and OFD says that two adult occupants were displaced but did not need help finding temporary housing. OFD crews remained on scene conducting fire watch.
The address happens to be where the city of Orlando has been pursuing a foreclosure lawsuit against homeowners Holly Joffrion and Mikhail Vaysberg over more than $500,000 in accumulated code enforcement fines. The city (and their neighbors) have accused the couple of using the home as a short-term rental and event/concert venue rather than living there, an allegation the homeowners have disputed for years, including in this interview with News 6, where they said they just have a big family and lots of friends.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
