JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Red Cross said between 40 and 60 people were displaced following Sunday’s fire at Paradise Island Apartments.
Many questions remain, including what caused the fire and if the fire alarm system fully activated as the building burned.
A neighbor who lives in a different building said they brought up problems about the fire alarm system to the fire department last year.
The neighbor, who wanted to stay anonymous, forwarded Action News Jax an email sent to Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department dated July 2, 2019.
The subject line is “faulty fire alarms.”
In the email, the tenant said someone pulled the fire alarm and maintenance disconnected the system to quiet it.
The neighbor said: “If there were a fire, the alarm would not activate. I’m concerned it will not be fixed leaving residents in harm’s way.”
The person claimed they never got a response. However, JFRD showed Action News Jax an email response to the neighbor dated July 3, 2019 that reveals they forwarded the complaint to the Fire Marshal Chief.
Action News Jax requested any records from JFRD to see if it followed up with an inspection. We’re still waiting for answers.
A spokesperson for the fire department said the Fire Marshal’s office routinely responds to complaints and would have responded to such a complaint by inspecting the common areas of the complex.
Action News Jax learned an inspection was slated to happen at the property by the end of February.
The latest inspection was in July 2018.
JFRD said the Fire Marshal’s office aspires to achieve an “annual” approach within the respective inspection schedule, but it’s not required.
The Fire Marshal Chief was at the property Monday and said his findings would likely be completed by close of business Tuesday. Action News Jax followed up to request a copy of the findings, but we’re still waiting.