Fairfield house fire forces Jacksonville man out of home

The Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department responded to a structure fire on the 1200 block of Thelma Street just before 6 a.m. Sunday morning. The fire forced one man out of the house due to extensive damage throughout the interior of the structure.

JFRD officials on the scene told Action News Jax the man woke up to the smell of smoke and was unable to leave his room. He was forced to jump through his window to escape and call for help.

“When I looked over, I saw the flames and amber coming out of the house, coming over towards my house here,” neighbor Martha Devoe said.

About seven fire crews responded to the scene, and were able to contain the fire in about 15 minutes.

They stayed on the scene to air out the house as smoke continued to linger from the roof.

“I was fearful, because I was afraid this house might get caught on fire in cases like that,” Devoe said.

They said the man was not hurt, and he is the only one who lives at this address.

Action News Jax spoke to him on the scene a few hours after the fire was contained, but he asked not to be on camera.

The American Red Cross was asked to help him find a new place to stay Sunday night.

JFRD requested an inspection crew come to the scene, and they are now investigating the fire. They said the cause is still unknown.

Cox Media Group