JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Firefighters believe a man possibly smoking in a bed may have started an apartment fire Thursday morning.
APARTMENT FIRE: JFRD believes smoking in bed may have caused a fire at this Englewood apartment complex. The fire is now out, two units are damaged. @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/tqgag4jvlf
— Elizabeth Pace (@PaceAnJax) July 4, 2019
The fire started in a second-floor apartment located in the 4900 block of Richard Street.
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department has put the fire out but damage can be seen inside the unit.
Investigators found the man's mattress completely destroyed. The man's apartment and the neighbors below him had to evacuate.
Officials said there are no reported injuries.
Neighbors told Action News Jax they were sleeping when the fire started and JFRD firefighters broke into their apartments to get them to safety.
Neighbors were kept in the parking lot for nearly an hour until the fire was contained and the structure was inspected.
“I said, ‘Just a minute I’m coming out!’ I had to get my clothes on and get out,” Shirley Moore said. “He (firefighter) told us to come out and stand outside. I didn’t even know it was on fire.”
Moore said she saw smoke coming from the roof of her neighbor’s apartment. Action News Jax later saw significant damage in the bedroom of this unit.
“Initial indication shows smoking in bed possibly,” JFRD Battalion Chief Andrew White said. “The mattress was burned up so we think that’s what caused it.”
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No one was injured, but at least two people were displaced. Action News Jax saw American Red Cross at the complex talking to residents.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoking is the leading cause of deadly house fires in the United States, nearly 40% start in the bedroom.
Fire crews are using this as a reminder to replace the batteries in smoke detectors and have a fire extinguisher is readily available.
Cox Media Group
