JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Firefighters said a woman died Wednesday in a fire at her apartment at Grande Pointe on University Boulevard West.
The complex is a couple of blocks north of Interstate 95. Jacksonville Fire-Rescue said they had to force entry into the ground-floor unit about 12:30 p.m. and found it filled with smoke. They quickly extinguished the fire, but found the victim dead inside.
"It is pretty shocking," said Mohmmad Haidary, a resident of the complex. "It’s pretty sad. I can’t just put a word on it."
The woman's name was not given, but many residents of the complex are immigrants and one resident believes she was from Croatia.
The investigation was turned over the state fire marshal to determine the cause.
The apartment complex released the following statement:
All of us in the Avesta family are deeply saddened by the death of one of our residents who passed away today during a fire at our Grand Pointe community. Our prayers are with the victim’s family during this difficult time.
"No one else was injured in this fire, and thanks to the quick response of Jacksonville Fire and Rescue, no other apartment units were damaged. We are now working with investigators to make sure they have everything they need from us as they determine the cause of this fire."