Fire claims lives of family pets Tuesday night

Lieutenant Jeremy Robshaw, Public Information Officer for St. Johns County Fire Rescue, reported to Historic City News that firefighters had to return to a South Ponte Vedra Beach residence yesterday after high onshore winds contributed to the re-ignition of a structure fire from the previous night.

The original call came from an oceanfront home in the 2500 block of South Ponte Vedra Boulevard at approximately 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Crews arrived to discover a working structure fire in the main living area of the home.

Robshaw told reporters that the home’s occupants were located and safely evacuated, without injury. The whereabouts of several family pets was yet unknown.

Firefighters went about extinguishing the fire in the living area. After the flames were contained, crews located three dogs.

Rescue personnel attempted resuscitation efforts on the dogs; unfortunately, as a result of injuries sustained in the fire, all three perished.

Yesterday morning, multiple emergency crews were called to return to the home when a fire in the roof, above the area of the previous night’s blaze, rekindled; aided by high onshore winds.

The fire was contained to the first floor living area and the roof structure above. Other areas of the residence primarily sustained smoke and minor heat damage, according to Robshaw.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by St. Johns County Fire Rescue in addition to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Aside from the loss of the pets, no human injuries were reported.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer