Fire training sparks debate in Lehigh neighborhood

http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=11304


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http://www.lehighacreswatchdog.com/leepadaniast.jpg this is an aerial view of Dania St --- 301 Dania Street is outlined in yellow


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Lehigh Fire Training

February 22, 2007

By Althea Paul

Plans to deliberately set three homes on fire are sparking concerns in Lehigh Acres.
Three abandoned homes along Dania Street in Lehigh Acres may soon be burned to the ground. It's all part of a training exercise the Lehigh Acres Fire Department is planning.

"I feel it's too dry and it shouldn't be done in a neighborhood," said resident, Nancy Wallace.
Some residents are scared the fires may get out of control and spread to nearby homes. Robert Anderson, president of Lehigh Acres Watchdog Inc., is so concerned he started passing out a petition for residents to sign.

"Training is an important part of the fire department and I absolutely believe that, but to do live fire exercises in a truly residential area, that is wrong," said Anderson.

Officials with the Lehigh Acres Fire Department say they're still in the process of planning the exercise, which is important to their fire fighters. If it moves forward, officials don't believe dry conditions or the location will threaten any homes.

They also say plenty of trained fire personnel will be on hand. Still, some residents don't want any fires on their street.

"There was a central burn yesterday that got out of control and last winter when I was here the same thing happened in parts of Fort Myers," said Wallace.

According to Anderson, no one from the fire department has talked to residents about the exercise.

Fire officials say they will talk to residents, however, Anderson and others are hoping the petition will keep the burn at bay.

Residents were also concerned about who will clear up the burned structures after the exercise. Officials with the fire department say the contractor will be responsible for that and should do it nearly immediately.