JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An elderly woman died in her apartment after a fire broke out on Saturday morning.
Action News Jax was there as crews worked to put out the flames and the hot spots at the Woodlake Park Apartments complex on San Jose Boulevard.
Firefighters said after responding to this call they found an elderly woman who had passed away in her apartment, which is where they believe the fire started.
Crime scene tape blocked off eight units at Woodlake Park Apartments after a fire started in the ground floor of the complex.
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Battalion Chief Andy White told us firefighters worked quickly to tackle the flames.
"Get in there, locate the fire and basically put it out. Quick response is key. If they were a few minutes delayed, a fire like that could escalate," White said.
During their primary search of the building, firefighters found the deceased elderly woman in her apartment.
"Some of the neighbors advised she might have been a smoker and that could have been a part of the cause," White said.
The State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the fire. White told Action News Jax it's important that residents have working smoke detectors.
Firefighters used less than 50 gallons of water to combat the flames. Officials said there wasn't extensive damage to the property, only minor smoke damage to the adjoining apartments.
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