Micanopy home destroyed in fire

Flames engulfed a home at 111 SW Beville Ave. shortly before midnight, said ACFR Assistant Chief Harry Collins Jr.

The cause of the blaze had not been immediately determined and was being investigated by the State Fire Marshal's Office, but Collins said it was not considered suspicious.

Initial reports from a neighbor said the fire may have started in a tree near the single-story wood-frame home.

Firefighters arrived at the residence to find it ablaze, Collins said.

By that time, about 70 percent of the building was on fire, with heaviest flames near the rear of the structure, Collins said.

Firefighters entered the building from the front and tried to stop the fire.

However, the fire gained enough momentum that firefighters had to exit the building and try to keep flames from moving across the yard.

Collins said the blaze charred grass around the structure.

Although firefighters were able to stop the blaze from spreading beyond the residence, they could not save the home.

No one was at home at the time of the fire. The homeowner, Lynn Heasley, returned around midnight to find the burning house.

Firefighters from Alachua County, Cross Creek and Micanopy responded to the fire. About 15 fire department personnel were called to the blaze.

Damage to the home, which was reduced to debris and the roof, and to the building's contents was estimated at more than $100,000, according to ACFR.

Lise Fisher can be reached at 352-374-5092 or fisherl@gvillesun.com.