According to a release from the Fernandina Beach Fire Department, "at 08:37 a.m., units from the Fernandina Beach Fire Department and Nassau County Fire-Rescue were dispatched to a dwelling that was divided into multi-family units after a 911 call was received reporting the building was on fire, and all occupants were out of the home. A second 911 call reported the back side of the building was on fire, and they could see flames. Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke and fire coming from the rear of the two-story building.
“Firefighters could not enter the structure due to the heavy fire and smoke conditions. Firefighters began an aggressive attack on the fire and controlled it within one hour of arriving on the scene. Damage was severe to the second floor and roof of the structure, and smoke and water damage was extensive throughout the remainder of the building. The structure is considered a total loss.
“Occupants were in the structure at the time of the fire but evacuated before firefighters arrived, resulting in zero civilian or firefighter injuries. The American Red Cross was notified to assist the occupants of the structure. Florida Public Utilities was notified to disconnect power to the structure during the fire and determine if any repairs were needed to surrounding power lines. The Florida State Fire Marshal’s office investigated the fire and determined it to be accidental in nature, caused by a wood-burning stove with a faulty flue.”
“The Fernandina Beach Fire Department encourages everyone to install working smoke detectors in their homes and have all fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, and flues inspected and cleaned annually,” said the release.