Categories: Merritt Island

Fire That Destroyed Merritt Island Home 'Suspicious'

MERRITT ISLAND, Florida — Fire investigators consider a fire that destroyed a vacant Merritt Island home last night suspicious. Originally reported at 1155 Dunes Street, officials have corrected the address to 1140 Dunes Street.

Brevard County Fire Rescue (BCFR) crews reported knock down of a fire that damaged a vacant home yesterday evening at 1140 Dunes Street in Merritt Island, Florida. Dispatchers received a call reporting the fire at 8:43 p.m.

En route to the call, firefighters reported seeing a glow in the sky and a visible column of smoke coming from the area. On arrival, they reported finding a single story residential structure that was approximately 50% involved in fire with flames shooting from the roof of the home. Radiant heat from the fire threatened to ignite a nearby home but firefighters quickly deployed hose lines to knock the fire down and prevent the fire from spreading.

It took more than two dozen firefighters about 30 minutes to achieve knock down on the fire and begin mop up operations. A search of the home verified that no one was inside.

Brevard County Fire Rescue fire investigator Scott Morissette reports that the fire originated in the area of the home’s garage and moved into the attic space. Morissette said that the interior of the home suffered only moderate fire and smoke damage but the roof was completely destroyed.

The fire is considered suspicious because the home was vacant and had no electric or gas utilities active. The State Fire Marshal’s office is continuing to investigate the cause.