Matlacha fire labeled ‘not suspicious’ in nature
Traffic in Matlacha came to a halt for more than an hour Saturday morning while firefighters battled the blaze of a single- family dwelling.
At approximately 5 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 1, a call came into the Matlacha-Pine Island Fire Department reporting a house fire at 4548 Pine Island Road in Matlacha. Among those waiting in a long line of traffic was Tiffany Montgomery from Indiana.
“We had decided to get an early start home after visiting my dad in St. James City and found traffic at a stand-still,” Montgomery said. “The air was so filled with smoke we could barely see the car in front of us and when we finally got moving again we saw the house covered in flames.”
The residence, known to locals at “Earl’s Place” is within yards of the complex housing the Matlacha Post Office, which was destroyed as a result of arson last fall, however officials say the nature of this fire is “not suspicious” although still under investigation. The residence was unoccupied at the time and no injuries were reported.
According to Fire Chief David Bradley, it is not know as to the dollar amount of damage at this time, however, the home is considered beyond repair.