ST. AUGUSTINE, FL — UPDATE: 03/31/2025 0900 According to the St. Augustine Fire Department, the cause of the fire was electrical arcing caused by the explosion of an e-bike battery.
Officials say that residents of the home used “multiple fire extinguishers” to put out the fire prior to the arrival of emergency responders. Heavy smoke, however, was still present and firefighters began to search for the source of the smoke immediately upon arrival.
SAFD says two handlines two ladders were used for the primary search through the entire building. Officials noted that it was not necessary to use water because of the “quick response and interior size-up.”
Florida Power & Light was on the scene but did not have to remove the electrical meter.
The American Red Cross is assisting with placement services for one family displaced as a result of the fire. Except for one apartment in the building, all other tenants were allowed to return to their homes.
The property is owned by the business, “The Earl Grey House.”
The Fire Marshal’s report is expected to be released later today.
UPDATE: 03/31/3025 0844 Officials tell WOKV that, although the Fire Marshal report is not yet final, it appears that the smoke appears to have come from a bicycle battery. Confirmation is expected later today.
Original Post:
Officials are investigating an excessive amount of smoke and possible fire that started at a home in St. Augustine’s historic Lincolnville district on Sunday night.
The incident started just before 9:00pm on March 30, 2025 at a multi-family residential home located at 60 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, between Bridge and St. Francis streets. Emergency responders were notified about the blaze by several calls to 911.
Fire was reported in a second floor apartment. Smoke was seen coming from the building.
According to a social media post from the St. Augustine Fire Department, firefighters and emergency responders from St. Johns County Fire Rescue searched the first and second floors of the building and the fire was under control within ten minutes.
Officials say no injuries were reported and at least one family has been displaced because of the fire.
Emergency responders, including the St. Augustine Police Department, remained on scene for more than an hour after the initial response. Residents reported the smell of fire lingering in the area for several hours.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: A portion of this post is based on a report released from the Saint Augustine Fire Department in Saint Augustine, Florida.]
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