‘The odor can be quite unpleasant’: Volusia County firehouse plagued with decaying rats, maggots

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Dead and decaying rats. Maggots. Strong odors.

Volusia County firefighters at Station 32 said they’ve been dealing with those issues since February.

From the outside, the station looks like any other firehouse. But the inside tells a different story.

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Union president Jeremy Karaginis said the odor is from dead rats in the rafters, and “on various days the odor can be quite unpleasant.”

Karaginis said the decomposing rats have also brought with them maggots that have resulted in pest control companies paying a visit.

There’s also a distinct musky odor coming from inside the station. It’s so bad that one of the battalion chiefs sent an email to the county back in August, saying the downstairs reeks of dead animals and cover-up deodorizing spray.

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The chief said the smell has gotten progressively worse throughout the day and they’ve been patient, but there’s been no resolution.

In 2013, Channel 9 reported that there were rats and snakes in the firehouse.

The union wants to use federal funding to build new stations and replace ones like Station 32 that have been around since the 1970s.

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County officials told Channel 9 that they’ve tried to remedy the issue many times, even bringing in two different pest-control companies in to no avail.

Another company will be brought in later this month to try again.

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