February 9, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\nJFRD said the fire call came in around 4:15 p.m. Officials do not believe that any equipment caused the fire, but suspect lithium-ion batteries may have sparked it. said that the fire was at a cardboard recycling plant near the 1500 block of Beaver Street. <\/p>\n
The agency added that the situation will be \u201cunder control soon\u201d and that crews will be in the area for quite some time to ensure that the fire remains extinguished. <\/p>\n
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue crews were seen battling the blaze around 7 p.m. They added that they plan to continue monitoring the site until at least midnight to ensure the fire remains out.<\/p>\n
Seeing the large smoke plume was unexpected for Jacksonville University students Andrea Waters and Alex Boutwell.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t huge flames, it was a lot of smoke. We saw it from around University Boulevard just going to get food and we got nosy,\u201d Waters said.<\/p>\n
Boutwell added, \u201c40 minutes ago. Yeah, it was much bigger than it was now like we were, it was very visible from the road.\u201d<\/p>\n
The recycling plant processes about 99% paper products. Aaron Bebernitz, district chief and public information officer for JFRD, said air quality is not a concern.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, the wind is steadily pushing the smoke and fumes up and out. So there\u2019s no threat to the community at this time in regards to smoke,\u201d Bebernitz said.<\/p>\n
When asked about their curiosity, Waters said, \u201cWe don\u2019t really got a lot of social life. This is our social life so we get the phone where we can. It was either this or go take a nap. So we decide let\u2019s go chase a fire possibly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Boutwell added, \u201cYeah, I mean, we are generally nosy. If something happens, we\u2019re kind of there. This has happened more than one time.\u201d<\/p>\n
JFRD confirmed no injuries have been reported. Crews will remain on site until at least midnight to monitor the situation.<\/p>\n
The State Fire Marshal\u2019s Office has also been contacted so it can investigate the incident. <\/p>\n
Live camera footage of the area shows multiple crews at the scene attempting to extinguish the flames. <\/p>\n
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.<\/p>\n