What we know:
- Fire crews responded to the Belleza at Ponte Vedra Beach just before 5 a.m.
- Resident called about smoke about an hour before the fire broke out.
- No one was reportedly found inside the building during the search.
- A firefighter and resident suffered minor injuries.
- 20 units were destroyed in the fire.
- The American Red Cross is helping victims.
- The state fire marshal, ATF and SJCFR are investigating the cause of the fire.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — A fire at a Ponte Vedra condominium complex early Monday morning forced residents from their homes.
Fire crews from the St. Johns County Fire Rescue Department responded just before 5 a.m. to the 100 block of Boardwalk Drive. Crews arrived and saw smoke and flames coming from the Belleza at Ponte Vedra Beach.
SJCFR said crews responded to a call about reports of smoke around 4 a.m. A crew came out to the building but, at that point they didn't have a specific building to inspect and didn't find anything. Then, about a half-hour later, the same caller said there was a fire and was able to give crews a specific building.
The entire building was searched and no one was found inside, firefighters said.
- Related Link: Firefighter out of hospital after heat-related.
- Related Link: Fire officials say 'significant investigation' coming after condo fire in Ponte Vedra Beach.
"I just woke up in the morning, saw the big orange flame and decided that it was probably time to get out of there," said Alex Murillo, who lives in the condo next to the one that caught fire.
Two people were injured in the fire. One resident suffered minor injuries and declined a ride to the hospital, SJCFR said. A firefighter was taken Baptist Beaches in stable condition for treatment of over exertion.
The fire department is taking precautions to make sure other firefighters don't have to be treated for heat related problems such as misting fans and having plenty of water available.
Officials also said they are making sure to rotate the firefighters still working on the building.
Crews said 20 units were destroyed.
"It could have been much worse. Luckily, like I said, there was nobody who was seriously seriously injured and by the looks of it, I think that's a God send," Murillo said.
The American Red Cross is helping the victims of the fire including 15 families.
The state fire marshal and SJCFR are investigating to find the cause of the fire. An official with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also assisting in the investigation.
"I would say that this will be a significant investigation," said St. Johns County Fire Rescue spokesman Jeremy Robshaw. "Again (a) large structure, a lot of area to look at, a lot of debris they're going to have to go through."
[ Click here or scroll to see the developments as it progressed on social media. ]
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