Jump to Navigation

Search form

Follow WCJB on Twitter
Like WCJB on Facebook
Closed Captioning Information
  • Home
  • News
    • Local News
    • National News
    • World News
  • Weather
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • Mizell Minute
    • Scholar Athlete
  • Features
    • Ask a Vet
    • Pet of the Day
    • Be Our Guest
  • Programming
  • About Us
    • Closed Captioning
    • Staff Bios
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Employment

Lawyer, Private Investigator, Working on Citra House Fire

Published November 12th, 2010

Four days after a house fire killed five children, a private attorney and an investigator are working for the surviving family members.
Dock Blanchard of Blanchard, Merriam, Adel and Kirkland, is now representing the family.
A private fire expert will investigate the cause of the fire and work with the State Fire Marshall's Office.
Dock Blanchard said he has received a number of calls concerning the bad condition of the home but said it's too soon to jump to conclusions.
"I want to leave it to the facts, i want to leave it to the experts," he said. "The expert will come forward and he will talk to people, and interview people and do tests, and those facts will drive the answer rather than early speculation."
Blanchard has reached out to the owner of the Citra home, Otto E. Beyer.
The landlord has also acquired legal council, and they are not commenting on the fire.
But a former tenant of the Citra home, Perry Hickman, told TV 20 the electrical wiring inside was shoddy.
"We moved out. It was just not safe," he said.

Lawyer, Private Investigator, Working on Citra House Fire
The residents of other homes owned by Beyer have expressed similar complaints to TV 20.
"They do quick fixes," another former tenant said under anonymity. "They don't do anything."
Blanchard, who has practiced in Ocala since 1974, says it's his job to do the investigating and just wants the family to have room to grieve.
The attorney will also help the family organize donations and says they have been humbled by the outpouring of support from the community.
"And that support comes from cards, letters, comments, all kinds of support and it has been overwhelming and they want everyone to know how much they appreciate that," he said.

Share this

Related Stories

  • Five Children Die in Citra House Fire
  • Officials Investigate Clearwater House Fire
  • UF Hires Private Firm To Investigate Shooting Of Grad Student
  • Gainesville Fire Rescue Investigating Second Recent Fire in Apartment
  • Four Dead Following House Fire , Fire Not The Cause of Deaths
  • Car Fire Leads to House Fire
  • Environmental Officials Investigate Fuel Tank Leak at Marion County Fire Station
  • Investigation Shows Fuel Spill at Marion County Fire Rescue Station Larger than First Reported
  • Feast at the Fire House
  • Belleview House Fire

News Categories

  • Be Our Guest Archives
  • Morning Edition
  • Growing Gardens
  • Morning Edition
  • Local News
  • State News
  • National News
  • World News
  • Sports
  • Weather
  • Health
  • Technology
  • Scholar Athlete
  • Mizell Minute
  • Adopt-a-pet
  • Birthdays
  • Pet of the Day
  • Ask a Vet

Useful Links

  • Closed Captioning

Information

  • Closed Captioning
  • Staff Bios
  • About WCJB

Contact

  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Employment

© 2000 - 2012 Diversified Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions

Find Gainesville Apartments with SwampRentals.