A home is destroyed after a house fire on Fort Myers Beach. The Fort Myers Beach Fire District says an accidental fire broke out inside a home on Fairview Boulevard by Estero Boulevard at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday.
Their crew, along with Bonita Springs and Iona McGregor Fire, arrived quickly and put out the fire in under two hours. No one was home during the incident and no one was hurt. However, the home is now unlivable.
Fire inspectors say Hurricane Milton flooded the property, and no work has been done since. However, the power was on.
"Right now we're ruling undetermined, but not ruling out electrical," said Jennifer Campbell with the Fort Myers Beach Control District.
Electrician Keith Willis thinks an electrical fire is highly likely given the circumstances. "The salt water corrodes the copper ban. Connections causes heat, which can cause a fire," said Willis.
Willis says this is why it is important to turn off your power if the residence is about to get flooded. He also says to get everything in your home checked by a professional before turning your breakers back on.
“You need to have an electrician, somebody professional, come in and double-check everything. And any outlets that were in the water need to be replaced. Period. No doubt about it. No question. Nothing. If they were in that saltwater, they need to be replaced,” said Willis.