Suspicious fire destroys observation tower at Wall Springs Park
At approximately 7:20 am this morning, members of Palm Harbor Fire Rescue were dispatched to a fire at Wall Springs Park. The park is located at 3725 Desoto Blvd in Palm Harbor. The responding units reported a column of smoke while still en-route to the scene.
The fire involved the four story, 35-foot observation tower which overlooks the Gulf of Mexico. Multiple agencies were involved in the 90 minute operation to get the fire under control. Firefighters from both the Dunedin and East Lake Fire Departments assisted in the operation. Large fire apparatus experienced limited access due to the remote location of the observation tower. Small vehicles were utilized to shuttle manpower and equipment to the scene. The focus was to contain the fire to the observation tower while protecting the surrounding area. The top two floors of the observation tower reportedly collapsed during the operation. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and its helicopter, the Eagle, was on-scene to assist.
Detectives from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office have advised they are continuing to actively work the case as a suspicious fire.
Anyone with information that may assist detectives in this investigation is asked to contact Detective Larry McLean of the Arson and Theft Unit at 727-582-6200
The park is currently closed and will reopen once the area is secured and deemed safe.
[mappress mapid=”59″]