North City home total loss following afternoon fire

A three-alarm residential structure fire broke out this afternoon at the home of 74-year-old Mary K. Wiggins in the Hildreth Back Bay subdivision in North City; the devastation from the flames rendered the house a total loss in less than 30 minutes.

Fortunately, when the fire broke out, no one was in the house located at 3 Atlantic Avenue where Wiggins has lived since 1985. About two weeks ago, the resident fell and she is still recuperating at a local rehabilitation center.

First responders from the City of St Augustine Fire Department and St Johns Fire-Rescue were dispatched to the scene around 3:00 p.m., the flames were substantially extinguished and mop-up wrapped up after 3:30 p.m. today.

When firefighters arrived on the scene, the structure was fully involved — Fire Marshal John Rayno told reporters the 1376-square-foot house, which was built in 1949, was a total loss. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

No injuries were reported to emergency personnel, residents, neighbors or their pets.

Photo credits: © 2013 Historic City News contributed photograph by Tiffany Pouliotte