DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — Officials are investigating a house fire in the Woodlawn area Wednesday morning fire that caused an estimated $60,000 in damage.
Chief Brian Coley with Walton County Fire Rescue said crews arrived at 5365 U.S. Highway 331 just before 7:30 a.m. to heavy smoke and flames. Firefighters were able to put out the flames before the house became a total loss.
“If it hadn’t been for the firefighters and their quick response we’d have lost the house,” Coley said. “They did a superior job.”
Laura Markus said she was tasked with watching the home while owner Diane Scargill was out of the area for an extended period of time.
Markus said power to the house was shut off in November, but investigators would not speculate on the cause.
No one was injured in the fire.
“She’s obviously upset, but she’s thankful she was not here and her cat wasn’t here,” Markus said of Scargill.
Coley said he believes the blaze started in the front of the house in what appeared to be a room that was converted from a garage.
Firefighters from DeFuniak Springs and Freeport assisted with the call.
The state Fire Marshall’s Office is investigating the cause.
