Apartment occupants safe after morning fire

Jeremy Robshaw, Public Information Officer, reported to Historic City News that St. Johns County Fire Rescue responded to a St. Augustine Beach residential structure fire in the 200 block of 9th Street at approximately 5:50 a.m. Wednesday.

Upon arrival firefighters found the home evacuated with visible fire on the 1st and 2nd story porches.

The structure was being utilized as a two story duplex with one apartment on each floor.

A total of 5 occupants were in the structure at the time of the fire, with all occupants safely evacuated upon St. Johns County Fire Rescue arrival.

First firefighters on the scene from St. Augustine Beach Station 7 made an aggressive attack on the fire and were able to contain primary fire damage to the exterior porch areas of the structure.

The second floor living space and attic area did sustain fire damage, but primary damage was contained to the outdoor living area.

The remainder of the structure did sustain smoke and heat damage bringing the total damage estimate to $50,000.

The American Red Cross was dispatched to the scene and will be providing assistance to the five occupants of the apartments. In total there are 4 adults and one juvenile.

There were no injuries reported during this incident and the cause of the fire is under investigation by St. Johns County Fire Rescue and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.