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No injuries after 3-alarm apartment fire in Jacksonville Heights displaces 33 people

The fire began at about 2:44 p.m. at a complex in the 8000 block of 103rd Street, according to the JFRD.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla — No one was injured in a three-alarm fire Monday afternoon at an apartment complex on the westside of Jacksonville.

The fire began at about 2:44 p.m. at the Jacksonville Heights Apartments in the 8000 block of 103rd Street, according to JFRD.

When firefighters arrived at the scene, flames could be seen coming through the roof of the building. 

By the time firefighters got the fire under control, about an hour and 20 minutes after the call came in, 40 units with about 115 firefighters had responded, JFRD said. The First Coast Navy also sent an engine to assist JFRD.

There were 12 units in the building affected by the fire. Eleven of them were occupied at the time of the fire.

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Chief Keith Powers says a brick firewall off the two-story center section prevented the fire from spreading to other units east as the roof collapsed.

However, there wasn’t this barrier, designed to restrict the spread of fire by means of compartmentalization, on the other side, and fire crews had to work hard from outside the building to keep it from growing.

“Our crews just did a phenomenal job. Stopped that fire from running into the attic – from burning the roof off the last four units," Chief Powers explained.

Fortunately, no one was hurt in the fire. However, 24 adults and nine children are displaced by it. The American Red Cross volunteers are assisting the residents affected by the fire.

They say the apartment complex has five vacant units that can be used, and they are helping six other families find another place to stay temporarily.

“We’ll also work with them to address their emergency needs. So, do they need food, do they need medication, do they need clothes? Whatever those needs are," Christian Smith with the American Red Cross said.

Smith added, it’s a difficult time for all of these families.

“Everybody is as resilient as they can be, and they are appreciative and grateful for us being here," she explained. "That’s important for our volunteers and that’s important for our community.”

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, according to the fire department. The state fire marshal will investigate the cause.

Fire crews remained on the scene throughout the night to extinguish any possible hot spots.

Credit: Ray Garcia
Credit: Ray Garcia
Credit: Ray Garcia

    

 

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