JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Food left unattended on a stove of an apartment started Thursday night's fire that spread to 16 units at the Pointe Sienna apartment complex, according to the state Fire Marshal's Office. The fire, which sent flames 20 feet into the sky over the Southside complex on Powers Avenue, caused an estimated $1.5 million damage.
Officials said no one was injured, but 11 families with a total of 33 residents of Pointe Sienna Apartments were displaced by the fire. Not all of the units were occupied.
"It's burning real bad right now," one caller told a 911 operator just before 8 p.m.
The fire drew dozens of onlookers as flames shot nearly 20 feet into the air.
A neighbor, who lives in the building across the pool area from the one that caught fire, said he heard the commotion and ran out to see if he could assist the firefighters.
"People were running around kind of crazy, like they would in this situation, but it seems like people got out pretty quick," Nicholas Martin said.
Despite the efforts of 50 to 60 firefighters, who got the fire under control within an hour, at least two-thirds of the apartment building was damaged.
An 11-year-old girl who lives in a nearby building said her family ran out, because they felt shaking and heard noise.
"The people across from us were running down the stairs, because they knew the people in the building," Amarissa Hedrick said. "My mom walked outside, and I followed, and all I saw was one of the balconies on fire."
The American Red Cross is helping victims find temporary housing. The youngest person displaced was 4 years old.
"We offer the recovery for the next day. They're told to call us the next day, and we can help them with referrals for food, clothing, furniture and stuff like that," said Jim Bishop, with the Ameircan Red Cross.
The American Red Cross will also be providing immediate assistance in the form of a credit card to help pay for hotel stays, clothing and food.