Duplex house fire leaves two families without a home

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A fire in the Bartram Park area has displaced two families today. Action News Jax reached out to Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department who says there is considerable damage.

The smell of smoke from the fire that charred these homes was potent.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

In the gated community Montevilla, many homes are duplexes. One portion of this duplex that caught fire is charred and the roof has collapsed. Action News Jax was told by neighbors the other portion of the home is flooded after fire crews doused it with water to extinguish the flames.

JFRD tweeted this home off Mondovi Lane caught fire around 8:30 this morning. JFRD says the cause is unknown, but an active investigation is underway.

“We heard sirens, and we went over and this house was just enveloped in flames,” says Renee Rolfs.

Read: Man dead in shooting involving Florida Highway Patrol trooper at Busy Bee gas station in Live Oak

Action News Jax spoke with best friends and Montevilla residents, Renee Rolfs and Brenda Singleton, about this duplex fire. They know both residents in the damaged homes and tell me both suffered serious damage.

“The house adjacent to it because our homes are attached is also beginning to smolder a little and it’s flooded,” Rolfs said.

“She called me, and I was on my way home and when I got here, I couldn’t park down Venosa,” Singleton said.

Read: Car crashed into FPL substation, knocks out neighborhood power

Both roadways near the damaged homes are blocked off on Bovalini Lane and Venosa Circle as well as Mondovi Lane and Rosolini Court. Rolfs shared pictures and a video with me. You can see heavy smoke coming out the roof, broken windows and crews battling the fire.

“It upsets me so because once something like this happens you think about your place and what might happen to you,” says Singleton.

JFRD tells me that Red Cross will be needed to help those displaced here. Neighbors tell me one portion belongs to a woman and her elderly mother – the other side belongs to a man and his dog. Thankfully there are no injuries to report.

A GoFundMe was set up to help those affected by the fire. Click here to learn more.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Read: “She killed the kids,” prosecutor says; alleges mother used exercise bands to strangle 3 children

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.