How Perdido Key Beach Community Is Recovering After Massive Condo Fire
On Wednesday, June 19th in the early morning, a massive fire erurpted on the 17000 block of Perdido Key Drive in Pensacola, Florida, eventually destroying 26 condos and a stand-alone home. Thankfully, nobody died in the blaze, in large part thanks to the Escambia County Fire Rescue firefighters, Escambia County EMS, and good samaritans. At the time of the fire, one resident and one firefighter were transported to the hospital, but no major injuries occurred. So far, nearly $5 million in damages have been reported, per 3 WEAR-TV, though the estimates can still change based on the purchase price of each home lost in the fire.
Out of the destruction, some inspiring stories have emerged. For one thing, four women who worked overnight at the legendary Flora-Bama entertainment venue and local Waffle House are everyday heroes who ran door-to-door to alert residents of the fire and make sure they evacuated safely. "It was kind of a blur," Robin Lusk, a night manager at Florda-Bama who was part of the efforts, told the Pensacola News Journal. "We just did what came natural."
In another such silver lining, a firefighter was able to save a newylwed's wedding ring from the fire, as the Pensacola News Journal also shared. Perhaps an everyday occurrence for a first responder, but the newlywed couple from Mississippi vacationing in Perdido Key have the utmost gratitude for this brave act.
WATCH: Massive Wildfire Swallows up Portion of Florida Everglades
If you'd like to help those who lost their homes in the fire, the Perdido Bay United Methodist Church is accepting money and gift cards, with 100% of the proceeds going to the victims.
"There was not a local avenue for financial giving so we offered to be the group to collect and assist in the recovery efforts," Levi Gardner, the church's executive pastor told Pensacola News Journal. "People can give in person at the church by check or cash, or online at perdidobay.church."
We're keeping this special part of the South in our thoughts as the tight-knit beach community continues to recover from this terrible fire.
