One woman deceased in High Springs residential fire

Press release from High Springs Fire Department

HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – At 9:53 a.m. on Sunday, December 29, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Combined Communications Center received multiple 911 calls regarding a reported house fire located near NW 183^rd Road and NW 238th Street in High Springs. 

At 9:56 a.m., responding police officers arrived at the scene and observed substantial black smoke coming from the residence. While en route, crews received reports indicating that a person and a dog were trapped within the structure. 

Within minutes of arrival, firefighters aggressively attempted to contain the fire to the right side of the home. At 10:14 a.m., firefighters successfully located one dog, which was frightened but alive. Regrettably, at 10:22 a.m., firefighters discovered a deceased female victim near the origin of the fire. The fire was extinguished by 10:28 a.m. 

High Springs officials would like to thank Alachua County Fire Rescue, Newberry Fire Department, Alachua Police Department, and Alachua County Sheriff’s Office for their support during this tragic fire.  

The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office, in collaboration with the High Springs Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Alachua County Fire Marshal, are investigating the cause of the fire. The circumstances surrounding the death are also under investigation, which is standard procedure. The deceased has not yet been positively identified.