JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Fire and Rescue confirmed that it responded to a house fire on Jefferson Road in the Sandalwood neighborhood. The agency said as of Monday evening, the fire was under control.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office also confirmed that it assisted another agency in that area.
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News4Jax records show this is the same house neighbors in the area describe as a nuisance home that has drawn repeated visits from law enforcement over the last couple of years.
“I’m not seeing any signs McDonald’s or Burger King is here. It look like a drive-thru is here, you know?” said Vasily, a property owner on Jefferson Road.
Vasily shared this picture of the fire with News4JAX. He said he came over Monday afternoon to make sure his property wasn’t affected by the fire from the nearby home.
“It’s in the back of property fire. It something like a big shed is up there, catch fire,” Vasily said. “You’re like, and I’m wondering, make sure my property not catch fire.”
Another neighbor, Allen Schiessl, told News4JAX he witnessed the city of Jacksonville putting an orange sticker on the home today to officially condemn it.
“The grandson of the lady who passed, who lived there. And they were shocked. They said they saw the report that y’all did and that got action,” Schiessel said. “They called the city, the city condemned it. Anyone on there is trespassing and just dial 911, that’s what she told me.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but Schiessl says he hopes the home being condemned will help keep the issues they’ve dealt with at bay.
“I can’t tell you how many cars have stopped since they put that orange tag on the door condemned. I bet there’s been over 50 cars stopped since this morning just to look,” Schiessel said. “We’re so relieved. It’s not been very fun for anyone.”
News4JAX reached out to the city to confirm that officials condemned the home and what led to it being condemned.