House involved in early-morning fire called a total loss
At this time, the preliminary investigation is complete into this morning’s structure fire at 5246 S.W. 20th Place in Cape Coral. According to the Cape Coral Fire Department, preliminary results indicate that the fire appears to have been accidental in nature, and, it cannot be ruled out that the cause was electrical.
The house was determined to be a total loss.
At around 4:40 a.m. today, Cape Coral Fire Department’s Engine 6, Engine 9, Engine 1, Truck 4, Rescue 6 and Battalions 1 and 2 responded to a residential structure fire on Southwest 20th Place. Engine 6 was first on scene and upon arrival saw heavy flames coming from the northwest side of the building. The occupants of the house, three adults, were safely outside with two of their dogs, but they alerted firefighters that they had another dog who was still inside the home.
Firefighters began an aggressive attack and ventilation procedures as well as a search of the home. The third dog was found inside the home but was unresponsive. Crews had water on the fire within three minutes of arrival and had it extinguished in approximately 40 minutes. They were able to contain fire spread to the northwest corner of the home.
Battalion Chief Christopher Moore stated that, “The rapid and efficient response of firefighter personnel was crucial in extinguishing the fire and preventing its spread to the rest of the home and to surrounding structures.”
The fire originated in a back bedroom, and while fire damage was limited to this bedroom and part of the living room area, smoke and heat damage were evident throughout the structure. Red Cross was called in for support of the occupants.