Questions about safety equipment follow Sunday fire at southside apartments

Jacksonville, FL — There are several questions about fire safety equipment at a southside apartment complex. Sunday’s fire at Paradise Island on Southside near The Avenues.  It burned 20 units and a firefighter was sent to the hospital and later released.

At least one neighbor said he didn’t hear smoke alarms when the fire started. However, our reporter on scene Monday morning heard alarms going off, so we know that some are working.

As Sunday’s fire quickly spread, and a group of students from Tulsa Welding School went door-to-door warning people to get to safety. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue crews on scene said they didn’t believe the buildings had sprinklers.

One family reached out to Action News Jax with concerns about when fire safety equipment was last checked at the complex.  Reporter Brittney Donovan has asked building management about inspections at Paradise Island.

The cause of Sunday’s fire is still under investigation.