North beach fire leaves Vilano home uninhabitable

Jeremy Robshaw, informed local Historic City News reporters that St. Johns County Fire Rescue dispatchers received a call from a Villages of Vilano residence in St Augustine reporting a possible chimney fire yesterday morning.

Firefighters responded to the call at 105 Leeward Court at approximately 9:30 a.m., Robshaw told reporters. They arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the roof and attic of the two story residential structure.

One occupant was home at the time. Emergency personnel successfully evacuated them without incident. There were no injuries reported.

St Augustine City Fire Department assisted St Johns County firefighters; and, in approximately 20 minutes, crews were able to bring the flames under control and contain the damage to the roof structure.

Smoke and water damage was sustained through most of the home — rendering it uninhabitable, Robshaw said. Thanks to quick salvage operations, the majority of the interior furnishings and valuables were protected from damage.

Fire damages are estimated at 50,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation by St Johns Fire Rescue and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.