👨🚒 Who: South Walton Fire District firefighters and one affected household
🔥 What: Residential structure fire with heavy damage and smoke inhalation injury
🕐 When: Monday afternoon, February 2, around 1 p.m.
📍 Where: Near E. Mack Bayou Road in Santa Rosa Beach
⚠️ Why: A space heater could not be ruled out as the most likely cause
SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. — South Walton Fire District firefighters battled a residential structure fire Monday afternoon that caused heavy damage to a home in Santa Rosa Beach and sent one occupant to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
According to SWFD, crews were dispatched to a home near E. Mack Bayou Road around 1 p.m. and arrived to find intense flames engulfing the garage area. Firefighters immediately launched an aggressive fire attack while additional units conducted a primary search of the home and ventilated the garage roof to release heat and smoke.
Ventilation efforts helped bring the fire under control, with crews knocking down the flames by approximately 1:30 p.m. Firefighters remained on scene for more than an hour afterward to overhaul the structure and extinguish remaining hotspots.
One occupant of the home was evaluated at the scene for smoke inhalation and transported to a local medical facility for further treatment. Firefighters also rescued one animal from inside the home, though lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful.
Fire investigators reported the blaze caused significant damage throughout the residence. While the investigation remains ongoing, officials said a space heater could not be ruled out as the most likely cause of the fire.
In response to the incident, SWFD reminded residents to take safety precautions when using portable heaters during colder weather. Officials advise keeping heaters at least three feet away from combustible materials, placing units on flat and solid surfaces, turning heaters off before leaving a room or going to sleep, keeping children and pets away from heating equipment and cords, and plugging heaters directly into wall outlets instead of extension cords.
South Walton Fire District also thanked responding deputies and partner agencies for their assistance, along with crews who provided mutual aid coverage during the call. The department extended its heartfelt support to the residents impacted by the fire.
Editor’s note: Any images shared with this report are courtesy of and credited to the South Walton Fire District.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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