Westside apartment fire leaves dozens displaced, families having to start over

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — At least two dozen people are now displaced after an apartment fire on Monday afternoon on the Westside.

When the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department arrived at the Jacksonville Heights complex in the 8000 block of 103rd Street, the fire was coming through the roof, Chief Keith Powers said.

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Powers said 40 units and 115 firefighters responded within two minutes, and it took 1 hour and 26 minutes to put out the fire. First Coast Navy from NAS Jacksonville was also on the scene to assist.

There were 12 total units in the building, and 11 were occupied. Twenty-four adults and nine children were displaced due to the fire.

The American Red Cross is helping 23 of those residents who were displaced by providing financial assistance for food, clothing, lodging, other essentials and comfort kits with personal hygiene items.

No injuries were reported as a result of the fire, and the Florida State Fire Marshal’s office will investigate the cause of the fire, Powers said.

The American Red Cross confirmed something like this only happens a few times a year in Jacksonville.

Neighbors told Action News Jax’s Kristen Rary that while tragic, they are not surprised.

Neighbor Trosyln Flowers said, “Previously, here, a couple of electrical fires have occurred due to the ovens, and a couple of apartments had caught on fire out here and everything like that.”

When asked if JFRD had responded to electrical fires in this area before, Powers said, “Not that I’m aware of.”

Action News Jax requested the number of calls for service to the apartment complex and is waiting to hear back.

Now, many families have to start over.

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“When a fire comes about, it takes a lot away from you,” Flowers said.

Residents said they just hope they are able to come together to help those who were impacted by this devastating fire.

Meanwhile, Powers said firefighters will be on the scene throughout the night to watch for hot spots.

JFRD battling apartment fire: 21 adults, 7 kids displaced

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