JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Five adults and two children could not return home after a fire Saturday night at a Southside apartment complex.
The fire happened at a complex near St. Johns Bluff Road and Alumni Way. Jacksonville Fire Rescue said at least one unit was badly damaged, but a few others also have smoke damage.
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Fire rescue said the apartment unit where the fire started is unlivable. Families who had smoke damage in their units decided not to return home due to relatives with medical issues.
Most of the fire and smoke was on the second level near a chimney, and firefighters had to break the ceiling to put it out.
"(The) initial report was that someone -- neighbor most likely -- saw the flames and smoke," said JFRD District Chief Chip Drysdale. "We do have a strong wind tonight and that can create a wind drift condition for the fire apartment. It did cause the fire to go up in the attic, but ... the initial crew pulled the ceiling quickly and put the fire out."
The American Red Cross is now working to help the displaced families.