Hernando fire thought caused by cooking accident

A kitchen fire is thought to be the cause today of a fire at 4087 E Bass Lane in Hernando.

The fire in a single-wide mobile home was reported at 8:13 a.m., and crews arrived from the Kensington Fire Station at 8:28 a.m.

Citrus County fire crews found heavy smoke coming from the home upon their arrival, according to the fire report. Crews entered through the front door and the fire in the kitchen area, which is located on the south side of the structure. The homeowner said that both he and his mother were in the structure at the time the fire occurred and managed to escape, but he could not locate his dog.

Firefighters immediately re-entered the structure and rescued the K-9. The dog was found in a back bedroom unharmed.

The owner did have minor injuries as a result of the fire, but paramedics did not transport him. The fire was out at 8:33 a.m., which was five minutes after Engine 231 arrived. The cause of the fire was ruled to be an accidental cooking fire.

Fifty percent of the home was damaged from smoke, heat and water. The loss was estimated at $41,250.