Hernando County Fire Rescue responded to an unusual plane crash report on Thursday, July 30, at an open field in the 14000 block of Citrus Way in Brooksville. The incident turned out to involve an unmanned aerial vehicle, or drone, that crashed and caught fire during private operation testing on property owned by Cemex, a major building materials company with operations in the area.
HCFR drone surveillance units discovered the downed aircraft after the initial crash report came in. Crews quickly assessed the situation and contained the fire before it could spread beyond the immediate area. No injuries were reported, and no additional property damage occurred as a result of the incident.
The crash highlights the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles in industrial and commercial settings, including testing operations on private property. Cemex, which operates a large limestone mining and cement production facility in Hernando County, was conducting the private drone testing when the vehicle went down. Authorities did not release details on what caused the UAV to crash or ignite.
HCFR’s own drone program played a key role in the response, allowing crews to survey the scene quickly and safely before ground units moved in. The department has increasingly relied on drone technology for fire surveillance and emergency response in recent years. For more information on the incident, visit the Hernando Sun’s original report. Learn more about Hernando County Fire Rescue and its services online.
Originally reported by Hernando Sun
Sources: Hernando Sun
