LaBelle man's ditch concerns spark call for action amid fire hazard fears

LABELLE, Fla.—A LaBelle man is raising concerns about a ditch just feet from his home, which he says has been causing problems for years.

From flooding and mosquitoes to a potential fire hazard, he hopes someone will finally step in to fix it.

Paul Thompson, a resident of the LaBelle Woods RV Resort, described the situation to WINK News.

"Oh, everybody's complaining about it, yeah, but nobody seems to be doing anything," said Thompson.

The ditch behind the resort is overgrown with weeds and brush, and with the severe drought in Hendry County, residents worry it could become a fire hazard.

"Right now, the weeds are high enough that we think that it's a fire hazard," he said.

Thompson shared his concerns during a WINK Listens session, emphasizing the flooding issue when it rains.

"Water stands in my backyard all summer long, which becomes a cesspool for mosquitoes," he said.

WINK News contacted the mayor, who stated that the Florida Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining the ditch.

FDOT confirmed that their last maintenance cycle was between May and July of last year, but they plan to add the ditch to their to-do list again.

Thompson remains hopeful for a resolution.

"Cleaned out and graded correctly. I mean, even I know water doesn't flow uphill," he said.

Residents are eager for action as they continue to deal with the ongoing issues surrounding the ditch.