SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. - Duty calls on 7th St. North in Safety Harbor.

“Multiple calls received for a 911 call for a reported house on fire,” said Chief Josh Stefancic with Safety Harbor Fire Department.

The car port caught fire, leaving a home destroyed. 

“Now the crews are checking for hot spots, there is water damage and smoke damage throughout,” said Chief Stefancic.

On top of all of that, it’s hot.

But despite wearing heavy equipment and coming face to face with flames, firefighters also have to wear a mask.

“Even at these fires, we have a couple things to deal with right now. We have the fire, the high heat temperatures, and then we have Covid-19,” said Stefancic.

Stefancic says crews are required to wear a mask at all times in the fire house, fire trucks, and at calls that require them to work indoors.

During an emergency like this one, the rules are a little more lenient, but are still in place.

“I know several of us, our chief officers, our supervisors,  realize if we don’t start wearing them, we can’t expect everybody else to wear them. So we’re wearing them and constantly reminding each other, like, ‘Hey put your mask on. Throw your mask on,’” said Stefancic.

After all it’s their job to keep the community safe, and this is just another way to do it. 

“It’s new, it’s uncomfortable. But we know it’s temporary and this too shall pass,” said Chief Stefancic.

As for Monday’s fire, no one was injured and the Red Cross has been called to assist the family.