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Fire destroys 36 apartment units in Destin, displaces dozens of residents

A fire at Legacy on the Bay Apartments early Friday morning destroyed an entire building, leaving approximately 48 people without homes on Halloween.
Photo courtesy of Destin Fire Rescue

A fire at Legacy on the Bay Apartments early Friday morning destroyed an entire building, leaving approximately 48 people without homes on Halloween.

  • Destin Fire Rescue responded to the residential structure fire at approximately 3 a.m. Friday at the Legacy on the Bay Apartments. Firefighters evacuated the building quickly with assistance from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

“Destin Fire was able to evacuate the build quickly with help from Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and get everyone out,” Destin Fire Rescue said in a social media post Friday morning.

All 36 units in the building were destroyed, according to the American Red Cross of North and Central Florida. Two pets died in the fire, while 13 other pets survived.

No injuries to residents or firefighters were reported. Crews remained on scene Friday morning working hot spots, though the fire was completely under control by 7 a.m., according to Destin Fire Rescue.

  • Eight Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers from the Northwest Florida Chapter responded to the scene and remained there for several hours to assist evacuated residents.

The organization is working to find temporary housing for the displaced families. The Florida Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire.

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