Locals Lose Home to Fire

A fifth residential structure fire represents the fifth and final candle to be extinguished on the “2011 Keep Your Holidays Bright” fire safety tree. Santa Rosa County Emergency Communications received a call at 11:06 p.m. on Saturday, December 31 from a person driving by reporting the fire in the 6400 block of U.S. Highway 4 in Berrydale .   The fire was fully involved when crews arrived on scene at11:15 p.m.   The residents were not home at the time of the fire and there were no injuries.   The state fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire which displaced a family of three. The home belongs to Randy and Charlotte Simms.  Berrydale , Jay and Allentown fire departments responded.

Santa Rosa County emergency service agencies teamed up for the fifth year to promote fire safety during the month of December with the “Keep Your Holidays Bright” campaign. While a joyous time of year, cold weather, holiday decorations and festivities can create serious fire dangers. Fire fighters hoped to reduce the number of fires in Santa Rosa County by promoting simple, life-saving holiday safety tips throughout the month. In the first year nine candles were extinguished on the safety tree, three in the second year, six in the 2009 campaign and four in 2010.