The Christmas season has proved to be a smoky one for a family living in an Inglis mobile home and for a retail store in Crystal River.

Two separate fires have broken out since Friday.

In the first blaze, a family's double-wide mobile home was severely damaged on Friday at 14730 W. Rooster Crows Road in Inglis. The fire was reported at 8:14 p.m., and firefighters arrived 23 minutes later, the fire report says. First-arriving firefighters found and heavy smoke showing from all areas of the residence. Firefighters entered the residence and quickly extinguished the fire in the bedroom and surrounding areas of the interior of the residence.

The actual fire damage was limited to the southwest bedroom and areas immediately adjacent. Heavy smoke was present throughout the remainder of the mobile home and additions to the home.

Homeowners Donna and Ernie Schultz had insurance on the residence, the fire report says. Ernie Schultz said he and his wife, daughter Cara and grandson, Ernie, had returned home at about 6:30 pm., when the older Ernie went to watch television while the others watched television in a bedroom next to where the fire started. A short time later, they smelled smoke. The grandson opened the door to his bedroom and discovered the fire.

The occupants evacuated the residence while the grandson got a bucket of water to throw on the fire. He soon realized the fire was growing so he moved outside. He used a garden hose through the bedroom’s exterior window to slow the fire until firefighters arrived to extinguish the fire.

The fire was under control within 10 minutes of the firefighter’s arrival. The American Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance to the family. Citrus County Sheriff’s Deputy secured weapons that were located in the residence. No one was injured.

The fire was under control within 10 minutes of the firefighter’s arrival. The American Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance to the family. Citrus County Sheriff’s Deputy secured weapons that were located in the residence. No one was injured.

The actual fire damage was limited to less than half of the residence. However, the heavy smoke caused extensive damage through-out the residence. It is estimated that the fire caused approximately $50,000 in damage.

Before leaving, firefighters secured the residence by using materials at hand to enclose damaged windows.

Office Max fire

Early Saturday morning, fire was reported at the Office Max in Crystal River, located at 1501 Northwest U.S. 19.

Crews dispatched at 2 a.m. to the store to assist the Crystal River Volunteer Fire Department, where light smoke was seen coming from the store. Citrus County Deputy Sheriff M. Dera had used a fire extinguisher to break the front glass window and used to “knock down” the fire. Fire crews forced entry to the front doors to assure the fire was completely extinguished and ventilate the smoke filled building.

Other fire units from Crystal River VFD, Engine 201 (Pine Ridge station), Engine 181 (Sugarmill Woods station), Engine 231 (Kensington Avenue station), Engine 141 (Citrus Springs station), Engine 31 (Homosassa station), Engine 131 (Beverly Hills), Rehabilitation Unit, Nature Coast EMS and sheriff’s deputies responded for assistance.

The fire was completely extinguished within 13 minutes of the firefighter’s arrival. No one was injured.

It is estimated that the fire caused approximately $500 in damage to the structure’s cabinets. However, the smoke damage to the merchandise may be extensive.

The actual fire damage was limited to a small area on a counter near the front window and the smoke extended through-out the building. Due the potential for excessive losses, the Florida State Fire Marshal was called for assistance. The cause of the fire is undetermined.