Lightning strikes residence at 103 S. 10th Street

City of Fernandina Beach Fire Department

Contact:  Fire Chief Ty Silcox

(904) 310-3151

August 9, 2017 - 1:15 p.m.

Late afternoon August 8, 2017, severe weather caused  a residential structure fire at 103 S 10^th Street, Fernandina Beach, FL.

Multiple units from Fernandina and Nassau County fire departments responded to the late afternoon fire. A call placed to 911 dispatch at 3:47 PM from the home owner, advised the residence had been struck by lightning and the occupants could smell smoke but did not see any fire. The resident was at home with his children when the structure was struck by lightning. Within minutes, the home owner observed smoke in the structure and then discovered and extinguished a small fire in the laundry room and exited the home.

Upon arrival of the first fire units, active smoke was coming from the upper floors and roof of the structure. Fire crews entered the structure with handlines and made their way to the second floor where they encountered heavy smoke and fire conditions. Fire crews were able to bring the fire under control within 10 minutes of arrival, and the fire was completely extinguished at 4:50 PM.

No occupants or firefighters were injured due to the fire. Streets around the area of the fire were closed to traffic during the fire. The damage to the structure was estimated at $20,000.