Around 8:10 p.m. on Friday, May 13, 2022, the Holley-Navarre Fire District was alerted for a residential structure fire in the 3400 block of Bob Tolbert Road. The dispatch center advised they were receiving 911 calls from neighbors across the road, reporting flames coming from the house.
Holley-Navarre Fire District’s Battalion Chief arrived within 7 minutes of dispatch and reported fire through the roof in the back corner room of the house. Holley-Navarre’s Engine 45 arrived just after the Battalion Chief and began an interior fire attack. The aggressive initial fire attack along with the quick support of back up units kept the fire spread to less than ½ of the structure.
The sole occupant safely escaped the blaze, which reportedly was caused by a lighting strike. At the time of dispatch there was a strong thunderstorm with lightning and torrential rain moving through the area.
The blaze was called under control at 8:36 p.m. and fully extinguished by 9:00 p.m. The 2,200 square foot home sustained major fire and smoke damage throughout. The occupant was displaced from the residence and is being assisted by family members and the American Red Cross.
There were no injuries reported.
Many thanks to our mutual aid partners who also responded to the call; Navarre Beach Fire Rescue (Ladder 49), Midway Fire District (Engine 35), Florosa Fire District (Truck 5), Lifeguard Ambulance Service and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Department.
Additional fire units were dispatched from East Milton Fire Department (Engine 1501) and Ocean City –Wright Fire District (Engine 11); this was due to multiple fire calls occurring simultaneously in south Santa Rosa County.
This report was filed by Chief Ron Norton HNFD
