Dozens without places to stay after Jacksonville motel fire

A man injured in a motel fire in Jacksonville early Saturday is recovering, and dozens of people are without a place to live.

The fire happened just after 5 a.m. at the Metro Inn and Suites off Golfair Boulevard in the Moncrief area. Dozens of people who were staying at the motel woke up to a loud bang on their door.

“(A woman) literally ran down the hall," said a woman living at the motel. "Thanks to her, everybody made it out."

But it was a close call for two people than for others in the motel.

“I couldn’t get out,” said John Magolo, who passed out due of the smoke. “I fell to the floor,” he said.

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Magolo told Action News Jax that his friends tried to kick his door open, but couldn’t get in. In that moment, Magolo said he didn’t think he was going to survive the fire.

“I was dying. I was like, 'This is it. My life is done,” he said.

Fortunately, Jacksonville firefighters were able to pull Magolo out of his room on the second floor. He was taken to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation. Hours later, he stood next to his friend, who he says saved his life.

Meanwhile, dozens of people had stood outside of the building, not knowing whether they had a place to go back to.

“We’ve now lost almost everything,” said Ruthie Moore, who was staying at the motel.

Investigators at the scene said they believe the fire started in one of the rooms. Firefighters said one other person was injured and was treated at the scene.

Firefighters said several rooms have significant smoke damage and the people staying in them might have to find another place to stay.

“We have nowhere to go,” a woman staying at the motel said.

The Red Cross and the city’s buses will provide those people by providing a place to stay for the night.

Cox Media Group