Orlando Sentinel

Lawnmower sparked damaging wildfire

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NAPLES — A lawnmower is being blamed for sparking a wildfire that destroyed five structures in Florida. The Office of Agricultur­al Law Enforcemen­t concluded its investigat­ion into the fire that started April 20 in Collier County. The fire burned nearly 12 square miles. The Florida Forest Service said Monday the fire was 100 percent contained. Investigat­ors reported that a Naples-area property owner mowed his lawn April 20. He saw smoke, called 911 and tried to stop the blaze with a fire extinguish­er. Investigat­ors said the mower may have sparked the fire by striking a rock. The owner won't face charges, but investigat­ors said he’ll be responsibl­e for “suppressio­n costs.”

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