Three Cousins Report Vegetation Fire on Shellbasket Lane

by SC Publisher Shannen Hayes

Three cousins were sitting on the balcony of a home on Nerita Street on Sunday night, Dec. 22, when they noticed a fire and called 911. The Sanibel Fire Department responded to the vegetation fire on Shellbasket Lane.

“My sister Natalie, cousin Kristina and I were enjoying our night together by the pool, and saw a strange orange glow in a palm tree in our neighbor’s yard,” said Audrey Rylicki. “We could see a tree on fire and smell the smoke and dialed 911 for help at 10:56 p.m. The firefighters arrived at 11:11 p.m.”

Cousins Audrey, Kristina and Natalie called 911 Sunday night to report a tree fire on Shellbasket Lane. Photo provided by Rylicki family

The Rylicki cousins spot a fire in a tree on Sunday night.

A palm frond came into contact with a power line sparking a fire Sunday night on Shellbasket Lane . SC photo by Shannen Hayes

Sanibel Fire Assistant Chief Chris Jackson said the windy weather caused a palm frond to come into contact with a power line and spark a fire in the tree which then fell to the ground. The fire crew extinguished the flames, and the Lee County Electric Cooperative responded to check the scene.

The fire did not spread further thanks to the cousins – 15-year-old Audrey, 18-year-old Kristina Rylicki, and 19-year-old Natalie Rylicki – who were alert and took action.