Jacksonville Airport Fire : In the early hours of Friday morning – May 16 – residents of Jacksonville, Florida woke up to an unexpected and alarm razing reality, when a blaze ripped through the hourly parking garage at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), destroying at least fifty vehicles and suspending the airport’s operations. Now that the blaze is under control, questions swirl around structural safety, emergency preparedness and when full services will be restored.
Incident Overview
Mayor Donna Deegan said the fire originated on the second floor of the parking structure, and was sparked by a single vehicle before swiftly engulfing dozens of others. “They’ve flown a drone in and so far so good, as best as we can tell at this point, but we can’t see the whole thing until we get the crews back in after it’s safe to do so,” she said.
JAX was closed for a few hours and at least partial collapses were reported on the second and third floors of the garage as the fire spread. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Chief Keith Powers said a second collapse occurred about 30 minutes after the first. The extent of the damage made it too risky to send firefighters in, and drones were relied upon for reconnaissance.
The fire’s cause is unknown, although officials said they have surveillance video of the source. What type of vehicle sparked the inferno has not been revealed.
Airport Status and Response
By mid-afternoon, the airport had reopened for 5 p.m. landings, but the hourly parking garages and daily parking garages were still closed. Shuttle buses are being used to transport passengers to cars in other open lots such as Daily Surface Lot and Economy Lots. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office previously blocked all inbound and outbound traffic to the airport, but had reopened roads shortly after 6 p.m.
Seaport spokeswoman Nancy Rubin warned passengers to monitor their flights and to check with airlines for updated flight information and to also try rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft. He also said temporary rental car return areas had been established at various locations based on the rental agency, such as on Staggerwing Court or at the Aviation Authority admin office on Pecan Park Road.
At least six flights were diverted to other cities including Atlanta, Savannah and Panama City Beach, and about two dozen others were delayed because of the interruption. Although this level of disruption was unfamiliar to the airport, aviation expert Ed Booth explained that FAA safety procedures and policy require the fire equipment to be present before planes could land, equipment that the airport was dedicating toward the fire instead.
Passenger Impact and Public Reaction
Residents and travelers in Jacksonville caught late in the uproar shared their experiences, including a sense of confusion and frustration from detours and confusing communication. One woman waiting to pick up her parents said, “They had locked down the terminal, so no one can go in or out.” Another traveler was dropped off at a cell phone lot when her Uber driver wrestled with closures.
Reggie Gaffney Jr., a city councilman, urged the public to stay away from the airport while first responders sought to contain the situation. “The safety of our residents, visitors and first responders remains our highest priority,” he said. City Council President Ron White shared the same sentiments and urged residents to follow official updates for correct information.
Structural Safety and Investigation
The intensity and duration of the fire would be important in assessing any damage to its concrete structure, according to structural engineer Andres Lopera. “What [they’re] worried about with the high temperature and the long duration of it being there is: Is the concrete going to crack?” he said.
No injuries were reported although the ramifications of this for the long-term are yet to be seen. The airport hourly garage was 95% full at the time the fire broke out, further calling into question access in case of an emergency and load capacity.
Minimum Fire Safety Measures Should Be in Place
This incident underscores the critical importance of having minimum fire safety measures in place at all airport facilities, especially in high-density parking garages. Airports must ensure:
- Fire-resistant building materials and structural reinforcements to prevent collapse.
- Automated fire detection and sprinkler systems throughout garage levels.
- Clear and accessible emergency exits and stairwells for quick evacuation.
- Regular maintenance checks and emergency drills to test equipment and staff readiness.
- Installation of surveillance systems for early detection and investigation.
Ensuring these protocols are in place and enforced can drastically reduce the risk of catastrophic events and ensure public safety.
Jacksonville Airport Fire : Conclusion
As the city seeks to return to some semblance of order, accolades are also flowing for a remarkably cohesive response from the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue, the Sheriff’s Office and airport staff. The joint effort is being praised for stopping a more serious outcome and for protecting travel.
It was not immediately clear when passengers could pick up their cars from the garages. For now, the extent of the structural damage and the fire’s cause are under investigation.
FAQs
- What caused the fire? Officials say it began with a single vehicle on the second floor, but the cause remains under investigation.
- How many vehicles were damaged? At least 50 cars were damaged in the hourly garage.
- Was the airport fully closed? Yes, it was closed temporarily and reopened at 5 p.m. the same day.
- Were there any injuries? No injuries were reported according to officials.
- When can travelers retrieve their vehicles? It is unclear at this time as structural safety assessments are ongoing.
Reference
Officials say about 50 cars were damaged in fire at JAX hourly garage; airport reopened at 5 p.m.
At least 6 incoming flights diverted to different airports after fire breaks out in hourly parking garage at JAX
Video shows fire engulf Jacksonville International Airport parking garage
JAX Airport opens temporary rental car return lot after parking garage fire
