Local

Mandarin apartment fire forces 30 people out of their homes

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Florida State Fire Marshal is investigating a structure fire that destroyed a building at a Mandarin apartment complex Saturday morning.

More than 20 JFRD fire crews responded to 8800 Old Kings Road South at the Preserve at San Jose around 4 a.m. Crews saw heavy smoke from the street and later found flames coming from the roof of the back building. Three fire alarms were issued.

“You can tell from the damage that it mostly involved the second floor,” JFRD Fire Chief Chip Drysdale said. “Right now, we’re doing operations to keep the water flow and fire from the first floor apartments.”

One tenant sent Action News Jax a video of the fire, after they made it out safely. They said firefighters woke them up to evacuate the building.

“When we walked out, it was very smoky,” Tenant Eric Johnston said. “So I think we got out of there just in time. We actually had enough time to get the cat, we were very happy about that.”

JFRD said no one was hurt in the fire. However, 12 units were completely destroyed, which displaced at least 30 people.

Crews believe it started in a unit on the second floor by the pattern of damage. The cause is unknown at this time.

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“I’m worried about where we’re going to live now. But the most important thing is that we’re okay,” Johnston said.

The American Red Cross and Salvation Army responded to assist displaced tenants.

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