- August 4, 2026
Flagler County Sheriff's Office deputies helped rescue a Palm Coast homeowner from a house fire last week after responding to reports of smoke coming from a residence on Westmoreland Drive.
According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched on July 29 after a passing driver reported seeing smoke coming from the home. The deputies were the first emergency personnel to arrive at the scene.
After encountering thick black smoke at the front door, deputies heard the homeowner screaming for help from the back of the house. They located the man on the rear patio, unable to move and only a few feet from the advancing flames.
While one deputy worked to keep the fire from spreading with a fire extinguisher, another helped the homeowner to his feet and guided him away from the burning home to safety, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Palm Coast Fire Department and Flagler County Fire Rescue crews then arrived and extinguished the fire.
Sheriff Rick Staly praised the deputies' actions, saying their training and equipment helped save the homeowner before firefighters reached the scene.
"It's not every day we are firemen too," Staly said. "Situations like this are why every deputy's patrol vehicle is equipped with a fire extinguisher and deputies are trained for any emergency. I commend our deputies for hearing the screams and rescuing the homeowner."
The Sheriff's Office did not release the cause of the fire or provide information about the homeowner's condition.
