A person died Tuesday morning in a mobile home fire near the Maxville area, despite firefighters’ efforts to rescue them. It was one of five “fully involved” house fires across the city overnight, according to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.
The fire was reported just before 8 a.m. on Trail Ridge Road, just east of the Maxville area, south of Normandy Boulevard.
JFRD Chief Aaron Bebernitz said the agency got reports of a fire with a possible person trapped inside, so firefighters made “an aggressive interior attack” toward the back of the home, where the fire was concentrated.
A person died Tuesday morning in a mobile home fire near the Maxville area (Victor Rodriguez/News4JAX photographer)
“The reason why we sent so many firefighters inside is that when we do have a confirmed report of a victim trapped inside, we will send additional firefighters in to locate that victim,” Bebernitz said.
They eventually found one person dead in the home, along with two dogs.
They did not release any identifying information because the person’s family has not yet been notified.
The cause of the fire is unknown and will be investigated by the state fire marshal and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
An hour earlier and about 15 miles away, a fire was reported at a home on Fuegus Drive near Cartegena Court and Lane Avenue South.
According to Jacksonville Fire and Rescue, two adults in their 60s were inside the home when the fire broke out.
A man was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The garage and a vehicle inside were left badly damaged, and the Red Cross was asked to come help.
JFRD did not release the cause of the fire, but said it believes it was accidental.
“Fortunately, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department has an abundance of resources. We were able to deal with multiple fires at one time,” Bebernitz said. “Our department is well-trained and well-staffed to be able to combat these types of situations.”
A person died Tuesday morning in a mobile home fire near the Maxville area (Victor Rodriguez/News4JAX photographer)
Bebernitz warned that the department does see an increase in fires when temperatures drop, and advised everyone to check the batteries in their smoke detectors, keep space heaters away from anything flammable and have an escape plan in case there is a fire.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect on Tuesday for Duval County. Even though Jacksonville is under a year-round burn ban, dry and windy conditions mean fires can start and spread quickly, JFRD warns.
St. Johns County fire
Around the same time as the Fuegus Drive fire, a house fire was reported in the Julington Creek Plantation neighborhood of St. Johns County.
Around 7 a.m., the fire was reported on Linwood Loop. Firefighters had the flames put out in less than an hour.
No people were hurt, but one cat died, and another was rescued by firefighters.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
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