PANAMA CITY — A fire that destroyed a detached garage and storage shed at a home on Palmetto Avenue was caused by an electrical short, an investigation by the Panama City Fire Department and State Fire Marshal’s Office determined.
Firefighters rushed to the scene just before noon Monday, where they found a garage behind 1905 Palmetto Ave. engulfed in flame. The fire spread quickly due to the amount of items stored in the garage, and some of the items, such as propane tanks, caused loud explosions that could be heard down the block.
Richard Reed and his son Patrick Reed were returning from work when they noticed the fire and alerted Grace Pudvan, who was inside her home at the time. Richard and Patrick Reed said they saw a raccoon, on fire, run from the scene.
Pudvan ran into the burning garage in time to get a 2005 Chrysler Sebring convertible out.
“I’d burn up before my car,” she said afterward. “I just got that baby.”
A pickup truck parked just outside the garage caught fire and was significantly damaged. Pudvan said she used the garage to store whatever didn’t fit in the house, and many of her other belongings were not saved.
“Thank God for insurance,” Pudvan said, “but it’s not going to replace my antiques, my son’s sports memorabilia. …”
No firefighters or residents were injured in the fire, which was brought under control after about 30 minutes. Police and firefighters closed a portion of 19th Street briefly and traffic had to be rerouted.
