Shearwater couple's home burns twice in 24 hours
Share and Follow


Michael and Kathy Goodman are now left only with memories, some miraculously saved in a house fire.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A home in Shearwater caught fire twice in just 24 hours. According to St. Johns County Fire Rescue, the first fire was sparked by a golf cart that ignited in the garage. The cause of the second, more destructive fire is still under investigation.

Kathy Goodman is at a loss for words. As she stands in front of what’s left of her home.

“I think I’m in shock. I don’t know, I can’t even tell you,” Goodman said. “I’m 68 years old. I never had even the slightest little fire in my life. to totally lose my home. I can’t tell you how I feel right now.”

Thursday afternoon, she was charging her family’s golf cart when it caught fire in the garage

“When I walked out it was on fire. It was on fire at the plug area,” Goodman said.

St Johns County fire crews immediately responded and put the fire out.

Goodman went to stay with a friend, while she waited for her husband, Michael to return home from a trip.

When Michael arrived at 2am this morning, the home was on fire, again.

“He pulled up and it was fully engulfed. The dormers were just falling into the house,” she said. “We’re here. we have nothing. We’ve lost everything.”

The couple has been living in that home for the last five years.

They’re now forced to pick up the pieces and plan on doing so while leaning on their faith, their community and one another to get through this hard time.  

The couple now left only with memories, some miraculously saved.

“The fire engineer said ‘is there anything in your room you would like to get out?’ I said if the ladder is still okay, there’s a nightstand right next to that. In that nightstand in the top drawer is my daddy’s bible and in that bible is all the obituaries from all of his relatives. all the people we’ve lost in our family,” Goodman said.

“He pulled it out and that Bible was untouched. I just got chills,” she said. “He brought out the pictures of my husband’s retirement from the Air force and he also brought out his retirement flag and our wedding picture.”

As the Goodmans begin the long road to rebuilding, they have their faith, their community and each other.

“Our families are here for us. Our friends and our neighbors are here for us. We’re safe. We’re alive. We’re lucky. We were blessed,” Kathy Goodman said.

According to St. Johns County Fire Rescue, the State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the second fire.

The Goodmans said fire investigators are expected to be back out to examine the home on Tuesday.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Thune hopes to vote Sunday on proposal to reopen government

Senator Thune Aims for Sunday Vote on Plan to End Government Shutdown

On Sunday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) announced plans to introduce…
FILE - A FedEx cargo plane is shown on the tarmac at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Tuesday, April 20, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

Government Shutdown Triggers Flight Reductions, Further Straining Fragile Supply Chain

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a significant cutback, reducing flight…
Trump's historic cut to refugee program poised to face legal challenges

Legal Showdown Looms Over Trump’s Unprecedented Refugee Program Cuts

Refugee advocacy groups are contemplating legal action following President Trump’s decision to…
Jim Carrey reunites with ‘Grinch’ co-star Taylor Momsen for first time in 25 years at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony

Jim Carrey and Taylor Momsen’s Iconic ‘Grinch’ Reunion Steals Spotlight at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

It’s a heartwarming reunion that fans of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”…
Shots fired at Border Patrol agents in Little Village: DHS

DHS Reports Gunfire Directed at Border Patrol Agents in Chicago

CHICAGO (WGN) – Reports of gunfire targeted U.S. Border Patrol agents during…
Angry customer throws hot coffee on McDonald's employee over cancelled breakfast order in Saginaw, Michigan

Shocking Incident: McDonald’s Employee Scalded by Furious Customer in Saginaw Over Breakfast Mishap

An infuriated patron hurled a steaming cup of coffee at a McDonald’s…
Parents demand answers after Jacksonville junior hockey team folds one month into season

Jacksonville Junior Hockey Team’s Sudden Closure Sparks Parents’ Call for Transparency

The former proprietors of the Bold City Battalion are facing criticism after…
Kids rescue beloved neighbor from house fire in Indiana

Heroic Kids Save Beloved Neighbor from Devastating Indiana House Fire

A heartwarming story of courage and community unfolded in Blackford County, Indiana,…