Arnolds destroyed by fire this morning

Historic City News received word that Arnold’s Restaurant, located at 3912 N. Ponce de Leon Boulevard in St. Augustine, has sustained major damage in an early morning fire in which no injuries were reported.

The call came into St. Augustine Fire Department this morning at 2:22 A.M. from police already at the scene.

City firefighters arrived at 2:28 A.M. Fire Rescue personnel responded from St. Johns County Station 12 to assist.

Entry was forced into the burning commercial structure through two side doors where firefighters attacked the blaze with handheld fire hoses. The fire engines were able to receive water from a nearby hydrant and quickly knocked down the fire by 2:49 A.M.

Florida Power and Light disconnected power from the building and firefighters began their overhaul. City Fire Marshal John Rayno arrived on the scene and alerted the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

By the time overhaul of the building was complete and the fire was completely extinguished, the State Fire Marshal arrived and took custody of the scene.

Arnold’s owner, Frederick C. Nijman, estimates a structural loss of about $80,000 and loss of contents to be about $100,000.

The last City unit left the scene this morning at 5:56 A.M. Captain James G. Von Bretzel, who was the officer in charge, reported that the cause of the fire is still under investigation by the city and state fire marshal’s office.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer