Saturday, 20 May 2000 Forklift accident ignites inferno, burning post office, apartments The Associated Press Redevelopment setback: Tampa, Fla., luxury apartments that were supposed to be one of the gems in historic Ybor City's redevelopment are destroyed, along with a post office. The fire is believed to have started when a forklift hit a power line, sending fireballs the size of basketballs through the air The Associated Press Ybor City blaze: Flames from the six-alarm fire send smoke visible 15 miles away. The fire, which spread quickly, closed part of Interstate 4 . $30 million up in flames The Associated Press TAMPA, Fla. — A fire caused by a construction accident destroyed a $30 million luxury apartment complex and a post office yesterday in historic Ybor City. "There's nothing left," said Tampa Mayor Dick Greco. "Just bits and pieces of steel and smoldering nothing. Gone." Fire Capt. Bill Wade said officials believe the fire started when a forklift hoisting building materials at the complex snagged a power line. Construction worker Rolando Contreras said the wire whipped through the air, shooting fireballs the size of basketballs. The fire hit hard at what was to be one of the gems in the redevelopment of the old cigar-making section of Tampa, east of downtown.The Park at Ybor City, a 454-unit development, was scheduled to open at the end of the year. The fire also came at a time when the city was on edge from a string of arson fires in parts of Ybor City and neighboring Tampa Heights. Five firefighters and a postal worker were injured, none seriously. "The heat was so bad it was blowing you back," said Kara Hannar, a letter carrier at the post office just a few hundred feet from where the fire started.