Jacksonville, FL — Jacksonville fire rescue officials say 115 people were displaced after a fire at a high-rise apartment complex Monday.
Video showed flames coming from an eighth story window at the Jacksonville Townhouse Apartments on Philips Highway before 4 a.m.
New video from @JFRDJAX of high-rise apartment fire in #Jacksonville. Officials say 115 residents were displaced and six people, including a firefighter, were hospitalized https://t.co/TQ9FobGmM2 pic.twitter.com/Px6QV0Qo7T
— ActionNewsJax (@ActionNewsJax) December 18, 2017
According to documents, the apartment complex serves as Section 8 housing for elderly residents.
Jacksonville Fire Rescue officials say at least five people were taken to the hospital after the fire.
#Jacksonville Townhouse Apts leadership told Fire Marshal they'd replace broken fire pump YESTERDAY. This morning, 5 people in the Section 8 housing for low-income seniors were injured. I checked, and they never even pulled permit to replace. Live at 5 on CBS47 @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/cmxksFLwz0
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) December 18, 2017
Firefighters went from room-to-room searching for residents. At least 115 people are at a shelter on Spring Park Road because of the fire.
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority provided buses to help people evacuate.
Documents show the fire marshal wrote a letter to Jacksonville Townhouse Apartments on Dec. 1 saying the fire pump and/or sprinklers did not work.
The letter said the building must be evacuated or employee must conduct an hourly fire watch.
Fire Marshal wrote this letter to Jacksonville Townhouse Apartments on Dec. 1, saying fire pump &/or sprinklers did not work. Says building must be evacuated or employee must conduct hourly "fire watch." 5 injured in fire this morning. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/CFtiNRi666
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) December 18, 2017
#Jacksonville Fire Marshal confirms Jacksonville Townhouse Apartments notified this month they had inoperable life safety system & must institute "fire watch." That means employee must be dedicated to checking for fires every 30 min-1 hr. 5 people were hurt in fire this morning pic.twitter.com/PaxlgIyNoW
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) December 18, 2017
