19-03-2025
PCB high rise catches fire Monday afternoon; fire chief shares details
PANAMA CITY BEACH — Many were surprised and posting alarming photos on Facebook after a PCB high-rise appeared to have caught fire Monday afternoon.
Panama City Beach Fire Rescue Fire Chief Ray Morgan explained the event to reporters on Tuesday.
Around 6 p.m. Monday the PCBFR was dispatched to the Gulf Crest Condominiums after receiving reports of a structure fire in progress.
After arriving on scene, firefighters observed heavy fire and smoke conditions on the 15th floor. They began battling the blaze, noting it was a bit more arduous than typical due to the elevation.
The fire started on the 15th floor then spread above to the 16th floor, also melting some outdoor furniture on the 17th floor. Heavy winds coming off of the Gulf spread the fire rapidly upwards.
The source was found to be a kitchen remodel on a 15th-story unit. At some point during the renovation the condo's oven lit a towel on fire. A worried individual threw the flaming towel on the balcony, where because of the windy conditions it caught the outdoor furniture on fire.
The unit was evacuated; however, on the way out they left the front door open. This pushed the breeze, and the fire, into the unit allowing the blaze to grow larger. The fire managed to break a bedroom window and then caused a "blowtorch" effect, which burned through the unit.
While the blaze reached the 16th-floor unit above it, it didn't make it in. The fire chief credited this to their hurricane-strength glass.
There was only one minor injury attributed to the scene. Those displaced found accommodations with friends, according to the fire chief.
Bay County Fire Rescue and Naval Support Activity Panama City Fire & Emergency Services helped battle the blaze.
Morgan assured reporters that fire safety systems functioned as normal, but noted that an issue with these structures is that sprinklers don't extend out to onto the balcony.
The building was evacuated for three hours to give firefighters time to make sure the structure was safe and that power is secured as well as sprinkler and water restored.
The fire chief advised residents to check their appliances and to keep stovetops clear. He further asked that those fleeing a fire close doors on their way out to prevent the fire from spreading.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Beachside building blazes in PCB; fire chief shares details
