Timeline of devastating PVB condo fire released

23 fire companies needed to fight blaze that took 12 hours to get under control

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – After the first call reporting smoke at the Belleza Condominums at 4:06 a.m. Tuesday, Engine 10 responded to building 700, where the call originated, found nothing burning, and returned to the station. 

About 45 minutes later, after more 911 calls came in, Engine 10 returned to find smoke and flames coming from building 100, the next building over.

Over the course of the next few hours, 22 more fire companies, some from Jacksonville Beach and Jacksonville Fire-Rescue, arrived to battle what became a raging fire that would destroy the 20-unit building.

News4Jax reviewed St. Johns County Fire-Rescue dispatch logs for a timeline of the events that morning.

Firefighters began and aggressive attack on the fire as more units responded.

At 5:06 a.m., personnel from Engine 10 started knocking on doors because of a report that one person may have been trapped inside. At 5:11 a.m., the building was reported clear.

By 5:30 a.m., the fire was burning through the attic and all firefighters were ordered out of the building. Fourteen minutes later, sections of the roof began to collapse.

At 6:05 a.m., fire command requested for the water company to increase water pressure in the area, which is standard in a fire of this size. Three minutes later, one of the building's walls collapsed.

At 6:27 a.m., firefighters from Engine 10 went inside the building to rescue two cats, making it out safely with the animals less than 10 minutes later.

Crews kept battling the flames throughout the morning, but it was not considered under control until 4:32 p.m. -- more than 12 hours after the fire likely started.

St. Johns County Fire-Rescue suspended two employees with pay while it investigates the fire response.

Community donations pour in for families burned out of homes


Management of the condominium complex, which the help of the community, is trying to help the families burned out of their homes.

Over the four days since the fire, clothing, gift cards, toiletries and other items that would be needed for those who lost everything in the fire have been donated.

Brook Nasby and her family returned to their burned out condominium Friday to try and salvage what they could. Then they headed over to the Belleza's clubhouse, which is full of clothes, shoes, towels, food and other items donated for the fire victims.

"It feels very good that everyone is coming together and willing to help," Nasby said. "I think the community is just been so helpful."

Patty Mickens lives in another building at Belleza and saw how the fire impacted her neighbors, so she spread the word about the donation drive on her' company's Facebook page, never imagining a response like this.

"It just got so big. The community just has been wonderful," Mickens said. "You can see all of the items that we have. I'm just amazed."

She said it's a testament to how neighbors support one another.

"All we hear about is the bad in the world, but they are just so many good people out there that just want to help," Mickens said. "We have such amazing people in this community that I'm just overwhelmed."

While the last few days have been hard, Nasby says this show of kindness makes things a little easier.

"To have clothes to wear and, you know, just the basics," Nasby said. "And it'll give me time to go and get the other things that I need, and I don't have to worry about this kind of stuff.

The clubhouse will be open all weekend for victims of the fire who need anything, 

Organizers said what they need most are gift cards in small amounts, so that people can go by the store and pick up things they need.


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