Cause of Fruit Cove fire under investigation

St Johns County Fire Rescue representative Lt. Jeremy Robshaw informed local St Augustine news reporters that the Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating a residential structure fire that occurred in Fruit Cove just before 5:00 p.m. yesterday evening.

Smoke was spotted escaping from the front door of the vacant residence in the 1700 block of Fruit Cove Woods Drive at approximately 4:45pm Wednesday. A passerby reported the fire to E-911 dispatchers.

“Smoke damage throughout the home is extensive,” Robshaw told Historic City News reporters. “Due to the length of time the fire burned prior to detection, occupation of the home will be prevented for some time.”

Upon arrival, crews found smoke showing from the front, rear and roof of the residence.

Firefighters made an aggressive attack on the fire and quickly contained the flames — limiting fire damage to one room in the home.

Once firefighters determined that there were no occupants and that there was no additional fire, they began the process of ventilating the smoke from the home and completing salvage and overhaul operations.

“The cause of the fire will be determined in the course of the ongoing investigation,” Robshaw said. “There were no injuries reported during this incident.”

Initial damages to the home are estimated at $100,000.