August 31, 2021. Just before 6:30 AM the Holley-Navarre Fire District was alerted for a commercial structure fire in the 7600 block of East Bay Blvd. Engine 45, Engine 41, HNFD Chiefs responded, as well as Navarre Beach Fire – Ladder 49, Midway Fire – Engine 37 and Florosa Fire – Truck 5.
The caller to 911 reported a recent lightning strike in the area and could see smoke coming from one of the buildings located in the complex. Severe weather was in the area with high winds and heavy rain as several squall lines from the remnants of Hurricane Ida passed through.
Battalion 40 arrived and confirmed smoke coming from the steeple of the chapel. E45 arrived and began an aggressive attack, utilizing ground ladders to reach the steeple.
The fire was quickly contained to the steeple portion of the church, the fire was called under control within in 15 minutes and fully extinguished at 7:11 AM. The building was unoccupied at the time of the fire, no injuries were reported.
The installed fire suppression system held the fire in check which led to this positive outcome, without the sprinkler system the fire damage would have been much worse.
