Residential fire at Amelia Island Plantation

Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger
May 19, 2015 9:25 a.m.

On May 17, at 7:54 p.m.,the Nassau County Fire Department was called to 33 Sea Marsh Drive to respond to a residential fire at the home of Bill and Linda Palin. According to the fire report, when personnel arrived on the scene a “two story residential structure with an attached garage [was] fully involved.”

Almost 15 minutes after the fire began this photo was taken of the Sea Marsh Road residence. Note firefighters at the first floor windows.
Almost 15 minutes after the fire began this photo was taken of the Sea Marsh Road residence. Note firefighters at the first floor windows.

A family friend said the owners were faced with a wall of fire when they opened the garage door to check on a breaker box after a television lost power.

Nassau County Fire Chief Matt Graves told the Fernandina Observer that the fire began in the garage and moved to the attic area.  There were no injuries. Damage estimates approach one million dollars. There is no indication the fire is of suspicious origin.  Graves said due to high damage estimates, it is good practice to bring state fire marshals to investigate. Station 2 from the City of Fernandina Beach supported the fire fighting efforts.