JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Multiple apartments on the Southside were heavily damaged in a fire, Jacksonville Fire Rescue said.
At around 7:30 p.m., firefighters were called to the Bentley Green Apartments on Princeton Square Boulevard.
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Officials said the fire started in the kitchen of a first-floor apartment and quickly spread to the second floor and attic. Crews described the damaged to the single building as "extreme."
“The fire moved quickly,” JFRD Chief Roger Lewis said. “(It) ran that family out of their apartment (and) up to the second floor, and made its way to the attic. We had a big fire to deal with.”
Neighbors told News4Jax the fire was the result of chicken strips being left on a stove and the grease sparking, but the resident, Felicity Cancio, said that's not what happened.
"I was making dinner about 7:15 and I finished up -- I turned the stove off," Cancio said. "(I was) getting ready to feed my son, and, all of a sudden, I see black smoke pouring out of the AC vents. "I ran into the kitchen, saw the smoke and fire on the cabinets, and screamed for my dad. He tried to get the fire extinguisher, (but) the pin was stuck."
Families were able to escape and no injuries were reported.
"I have a bunch of friends and family who are willing to donate a bunch of stuff to help us," Cancio said. "But as far as where we’re staying, we haven’t discussed it yet."
Investigators were unable to confirm if any animals were inside the building at the time.