Two residential fires investigated last night

Jeremy Robshaw, Public Information Officer with St. Johns County Fire Rescue, informed Historic City News local reporters that emergency personnel responded to two residential structure fires last night.

The first was reported in the 1900 block of Cross Pointe Way at approximately 5:30pm.

The call came in as a possible lightning strike and when firefighters arrived they found a residential structure with smoke showing from the eaves and roof vents. Firefighters were informed the home was evacuated and began an aggressive attack on the fire.

Firefighters made access to the attic space and found a working fire contained within the attic.

While firefighters from Squad 17 contained and extinguished the fire in the attic additional crews made entry into the structure to search for additional fire and to deploy salvage covers in an effort to prevent further damage to the homes furnishings.

Once the fire was declared under control, salvage and overhaul were completed of the entire structure and the fire marshal’s office began their investigation into the cause.

Fire damage to the structure was contained primarily to the attic space above the garage and kitchen, with smoke and water damage present throughout the structure. The cause of the fire is listed as a lightning strike and damages to the home and contents are listed at $100,000.

The second fire was reported in the 8400 block of Palmo Fish Camp Road at approximately 9:15pm.

Upon arrival firefighters found a mobile home heavily involved in fire. The occupants of the structure had evacuated and informed crews that the structure was unoccupied. Firefighters established a water supply and extinguished the fire without incident.

During a primary search of the home, crews located the occupant’s pets; five cats and two ferrets.

Despite resuscitation efforts by firefighters utilizing pet oxygen masks all of the pets perished as a result of the fire.

The St. Johns County Fire Marshal’s office has listed the cause of the fire as most likely electrical in nature. There were no injuries reported during this incident and damages to the home and contents are estimated at $25,000.