- March 3, 2026
A home in Palm Coast's F Section as PCFD crews work to contain the flames on Jan. 16. Photo courtesy of PCFD Facebook, credit to: Shane Leib , F-Section Neighborhood Group
A home in Palm Coast's F Section caught fire on Jan. 16. Photo courtesy of PCFD Facebook, credit to: Shane Leib , F-Section Neighborhood Group
A home in Palm Coast's B Section caught fire on Jan. 15. Courtesy of PCFD
In two days, two structure fires tore through and destroyed two homes in Palm Coast, accelerated by propane tanks that caught fire.
Palm Coast Fire Chief Kyle Berryhill said that though one fire began in a cooking-related incident and the other was an electrical fire, but both began near the back porch area and were able to penetrate the attic space. At both homes, propane tanks were stored near items that caught fire, which helped the fire spread into the attic.
"Once the fire is in the attic, saving the structure becomes very unlikely," Berryhill said. Typically, drywall and sheetrock acts as a barrier that helps prevent the spread of fire into the attic. "It became very difficult for us to do anything other than protect the exposures."
Thankfully, none of the residents or any of the responding firefighters were injured in either fire. Neither fire was ruled as suspicious, Berryhill said.
In the evening on Jan. 16, a home in Palm Coast's F Section became engulfed with flames. The Palm Coast Fire Department's and Flagler County Fire Rescue's Engine 24, Engine 23, Engine 22, Ladder 25, Battalion 24 and fire police all responded to the scene, according to a PCFD Facebook post.
When crews arrived they found heavy fire showing from the roof with thick smoke throughout the residence, the post said. The homeowner reported the fire began in the back of the home and spread throughout the structure.
The day before, on Jan. 15, another fire had engulfed a home in the B Section. When crews arrived, there was an active fire from the rear of the home with flames extending into the attic, according to a Jan. 15 PCFD Facebook post.
Crews worked quickly and aggressively to contain the fire, limit further extension, and conduct salvage operations to protect the homeowner’s property, the post said. The Flagler Beach Fire Department provided support with a "defensive fire attack with aerial operations," by providing "elevated master stream operations," according to a FBFD Facebook post.
"This incident highlights the importance of strong interagency partnerships and coordinated response when incidents exceed the scope of a single department," the FBFD post said.
Both homes are a loss, and a GoFundMe has been started for the family in the F Section. Almost $2,000 at the time of this article have been raised for the family.
Berryhill said it's important to note that neither fire was caused by the propane tanks. It's fine for residents to store their propane tanks in an open, outdoor area, but they should be kept away from the heat, flames and be kept upright in a well-ventilated area.
"Once things like that are impacted by fire, they become more hazardous," Berryhill said.
Berryhill said the PCFD asks that families have a plan in case of a fire, including where to meet outside, so everyone, even pets are accounted for. Stuff is replaceable, he said, "you aren't."
"Even though these families, it's really a tragedy how much they've lost, what they definitely still have is all their loved ones," he said. "And so we're grateful for that."
