FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 12th, 2008

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Contact: OCWFCD, Public Information Officer
Contact Person: Capt. Ryan Christen
Company Name: Ocean City-Wright Fire Control District
Telephone Number: 850-862-1185
Email Address: rgchristen@ocwfcd.org   
Web site address: http://www.ocwfcd.org

Ocean City-Wright Firefighters respond to an Early Morning Fire on Racetrack Rd.

At around 1:30 a.m. on the morning of October 12th 911 dispatchers received a call for a reported structure fire at 428 NE Racetrack Rd, the location of Butler’s Florist. Units from Ocean City-Wright, Eglin and the Fort Walton Fire Department responded. The first unit to arrive was Ocean City-Wright Fire Control District ALS Engine One. They immediately began attacking the fire, and reported that there was heavy fire coming from the front of the building.

Within eight minutes of the first units arriving Chief Billy Lord of the Ocean City-Wright Fire Control District called for a second alarm response to the fire. The second alarm included two additional Engine Companies. This brought the total to five engine companies, one ladder truck, and one rescue operating at the scene. It took the Firefighters on scene about two hours to extinguish the blaze and declare the fire out at 3:13 a.m. 

The building built in 1977 was nearly 4,000 sq. feet and is a total loss. Damage to the building and the contents are estimated to be over $200,000 dollars. The fire also damaged two delivery vans parked in front of Butler’s Florist.

The State Fire Marshall’s Office was contacted to begin an investigation. The cause of this blaze is still under investigation. No one was injured during this fire.

The members of the Ocean City-Wright Fire Control District remained on scene until close to
6:00 a.m. During the fire off duty members were alerted and recalled to provide staffing for reserve trucks to ensure fire service coverage for the district. All members at the fire worked tirelessly through the night to bring the fire under control and prevent extension into nearby buildings and other vehicles.

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(Press Release is finished)

For additional information, Contact:
Capt. Ryan Christen
OCW Public Information Officer
Work: 850-862-1185


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