Families displaced by fire in Ponte Vedra Beach thankful to be alive

At least two families are out of their homes after a fire swept through a Sawgrass townhome complex Tuesday night.

One of the families affected didn’t want to be identified, but spoke to Action News Jax off-camera.

They said they were having dinner with their two kids when they heard loud banging on their front door. It was their neighbor warning them that his home was on fire.

Since the units share a wall, the fire quickly spread.

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“There was an electrical short in my closet. I went in there, I tried to get the power going for my lights, computer and stuff. The next thing you know, a fire broke out inside the closet,” said the neighbor to a 911 dispatcher.

There’s a gaping hole were the roof used to be on the Tifton Cove homes. Inside one of the townhomes bathrooms were covered in debris, bedrooms were destroyed.

Nearly all possessions were destroyed within minutes.

Neighbors came out to help the families salvage what they could Wednesday.

“I saw the blaze in the closet where all my clothes are and it was on fire. I had boxes on fire,” said the neighbor.

To make matters worse, heavy rainfall Wednesday could potentially further damage already vulnerable homes.

Crews were seen Wednesday trying to put up a tarp to keep the rain out.

The St. Johns County Fire Rescue Department said it took nine minutes for firefighters to get the scene upon receiving the call.

To put that into perspective, in 2016, the average response time was six to eight minutes.

PHOTOS: Fire in Tifton Cove subdivision in Sawgrass Country Club

Jacksonville Beach firefighters also assisted.

The state fire marshal believes an active electrical outlet inside a townhouse sparked the flames.

No one was injured, and firefighters were able to rescue three dogs.

An elderly woman had to be treated for smoke inhalation but has since been released.

One of the displaced families said they’re thankful for all the help and they’re happy to be alive.

According to the Red Cross, seven people were in need of its assistance.

Cox Media Group