State Fire Marshal to release findings in Ponte Vedra Beach fire

St Johns County Fire Rescue Chief, Carl Shank, updated local Historic City News reporters today in an official statement concerning the residential condominium fire in Ponte Vedra Beach that left twenty units destroyed, fifteen families displaced, and caused two people to receive treatment for minor injuries.

Firefighters responded to Belleza at Ponte Vedra condominiums during the early morning hours of Monday July 13th. Very limited information was released yesterday as personnel continued overhaul operations and were still engaged at the scene.

“At this time, the incident remains under investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal; who will determine the official origin and cause of the fire,” Chief Shank reported.

Simultaneously, an internal investigation is underway regarding unexplained delays in dispatching the call.

“After reviewing the 9-1-1 call tapes, St. Johns County Fire Rescue has initiated an internal investigation into the initial response to this incident,” Shank told local reporters. “Two fire department personnel involved in this response have been placed on administrative leave pending the results of that investigation.”

Fire official may still have a presence at the scene over the next several days while crews monitor and continue overhaul operations, as needed.

The last update from the scene at 4:35 p.m. read, “St Johns Fire Rescue, in coordination with ATF and the Office of the State Fire Marshal, remain on scene completing the fire cause and origin investigation”.

Fire-Rescue crews will continue monitoring the structure for “hot spots” periodically throughout the evening and over the next few days as required.

Once cleared by investigators, further inspection will be completed by the St. Johns County Building Department prior to the structure being released to the condo property management team.

St. Johns County Fire Rescue Captain, Jeremy Robshaw, recognized and thank the American Red Cross, the St. Johns County Health Department and the St. Johns County Department of Emergency Management for their assistance during the day today providing water and rehabilitation care to the many firefighters and support personnel operating on the scene.

In addition to providing supportive care to responders, the American Red Cross will also be providing assistance as needed to those residents displaced as a result of the fire.