SWFD answers fire at home of Charlie and Julie Modica

South Walton Fire District responded to a 911 call Tuesday at 11:29 a.m., of a house fire in the kitchen of a home on Dogwood Street in Seagrove Beach.

Trucks arrived five minutes later to find the one-story 2,000-square-foot home of Charlie and Julie Modica with smoke billowing from the roof line.

Only one occupant was home at the time of the incident, and she got out safely.

The Modicas stood by and watched as units from four SWFD stations battled to contain the fire that started in the kitchen as a result of a home-improvement project.

The fire was extinguished with moderate damage to the home.

The home, with an estimated value of $300,000, experienced approximately $25,000 worth of damage, according to Deputy Chief Sean Hughes.

After the fire was extinguished, firefighters assisted the homeowners in cleaning up the damage caused by the fire and extinguishment efforts.

The SWFD reminds citizens to make sure to disconnect the power when performing work on their homes that involve cutting or drilling into walls and other blind spaces.