FIREFIGHTERS KNOCK DOWN RESIDENTIAL FIRE IN PONCE DE LEON

Double wide mobile home on fire at nightFirefighters responded to a house fire in Ponce de Leon Monday night.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office communications center received a 911 call at 9:36 p.m. last night in reference to a structure fire on County Highway 181-C. The caller stated they awoke to their home filled with smoke, but fortunately, everyone made it safely out of the residence. WCFR firefighters arrived on scene within minutes and confirmed a double-wide mobile home fully engulfed in flames. Crews quickly deployed an attack line and began extinguishing the fire.

With assistance from Eglin Air Force Base Fire & Emergency Services and volunteers with Ponce de Leon and Argyle volunteer fire departments, Walton County Fire Rescue quickly knocked down the blaze. Their quick action stopped the fire from spreading to other nearby structures.

The fire is believed to have been caused by a heat lamp left running for animals on the front porch of the home. However, the State Fire Marshal’s Office is conducting an official investigation into the cause of the blaze.

Walton County Fire Rescue would like to remind everyone to ensure heat lamps are fastened tightly and to keep heating equipment a safe distance away from anything flammable.