VILANO BEACH, Fla. – A house fire that destroyed one home and damaged two others in Vilano Beach last week is now driving residents to demand better fire infrastructure from St. Johns County — and they have a petition to prove it.
No injuries were reported in the fire, but the home is a total loss. At one point, the blaze burned so intensely that firefighters had to evacuate the two neighboring homes. Residents say the community’s lack of fire hydrants made a bad situation worse.
“The number one fear of anybody is fire,” said neighbor Edward Raffaniello. “Hurricanes, storm damage — you can rebuild. Fire destroys everything.”
Firefighters Struggled to Find Water
Residents say the nearest fire hydrant to the home is roughly two blocks away. A drive from the fire scene revealed only one hydrant in the surrounding area.
Raffaniello said firefighters on the scene were visibly frustrated. “Our neighbors fortunately got out of the house, but the firemen were struggling to put water on it because of the lack of fire hydrants out here,” he said. “I won’t repeat some of the language they were using, but they were not happy with not having water pressure.”
Resident Jon Hunt, who started the petition, said the fire revealed a vulnerability many neighbors had overlooked. “We all knew that we didn’t have fire hydrants in this area,” Hunt said. “I don’t think any of us realized the impact a fire would have and how difficult it would be for the fire department to get water on the flames.”
Hunt added that firefighters had to travel far just to access water — and even then, the pressure fell short. “What we heard from firemen on the scene indirectly was that they were very frustrated that they had to go so far to get water. And then when they got here, the pressure was so poor, they were ineffective in putting water on the flames.”
County Says Infrastructure Predates Current Standards
St. Johns County’s Utility Department responded to a request for comment with a written statement:
The St. Johns County Utility Department has received several inquiries from residents regarding fire protection in the Vilano Beach and Porpoise Point area following the residential fire on June 16.
The water infrastructure serving this community was constructed prior to current County standards, which require fire hydrants to be installed at intervals of no more than 660 feet. In addition, the County recently acquired the area’s water system from a private utility operator.
The existing water lines in the area are smaller than those typically needed to support fire hydrants and do not have the capacity to deliver the large volumes of water required for firefighting operations.
In response to community concerns, the Utility Department is evaluating the existing water system and conducting an engineering analysis to identify potential infrastructure improvements that could enhance fire protection capabilities in the future.
The engineering analysis is expected to be completed within approximately six weeks. Upon completion, the Utility Department will share its findings and recommendations with area residents.
St. Johns County Utility Department
Residents say that response has not been enough. Raffaniello noted that the community runs on wells, septic tanks, and private utility connections. He believes that impact fees collected in the area have not been reinvested locally.
“We may have a million dollars plus out here in impact fees, but it hasn’t been spent out here,” he said. “All we’re asking for is the basic needs of fire hydrants.”
Residents Want Answers — and a Timeline
Both Hunt and Raffaniello say they have yet to receive direct communication from the county beyond the public statement.
“I just wish we’d at least get an acknowledgement — hey, we got your email, we’ll get back with you,” Raffaniello said. “We haven’t gotten anything. Are they just forgetting us again? Are they gonna wait until somebody dies in a fire before they do something?”
Hunt echoed that frustration, saying the community needs a clear plan.
“We just need more support out here, and I’m sure the county wants to do that, but we haven’t heard much from them about how and when that process will begin.”
The petition has more than 200 signatures. Neighbors plan to bring it before the St. Johns County Commission in the near future.