JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As fire crews battle continue to battle hot spots that keep popping up at the RISE Doro apartments on Tuesday, officials have brought up the possibility of demolition due to collapse concerns at the Downtown apartment complex.
The devastating fire, which has been burning since Sunday night, has left the brand-new luxury apartment building unsafe. City engineers determined that the building is no longer structurally sound.
On Tuesday morning, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Chief Keith Powers said some of the parapet walls around the top of the building collapsed inward. He also pointed out that on Monday evening, there was a blowout on the back corner by Lafayette Street, causing part of the back wall to partially bow out.
RELATED | RISE developer says he ‘absolutely wants to see a rebuild’ after fire destroys Downtown apartment complex | Timeline: Luxury apartment complex in Downtown Jacksonville goes up in flames weeks before opening
For that reason, several businesses around the building will have to remain closed until they decide to demolish the building or once they make sure the building will not collapse onto the street.
“As far as business closures, unfortunately, Intuition Ale Works, Manifest Distilling and the offices across A. Phillip Randolph Boulevard also are in the collapse zone,” Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan said.
During a press conference Monday evening, Deegan said public safety is their number one priority.
“As soon as we can do it, the wood framing in that building will be coming down,” Deegan said.
Powers said engineers will be working with the building owners to determine what the next steps are to make that building safe for the community.
“That’s about an 80-feet-high building and the height of that building all the way out, 80 feet away from the building is a collapse zone,” Powers said.
In the meantime, Powers said the building will probably be surrounded by JFRD crews for days as they continue to pour thousands of gallons of water on the building to control the hot spots.
RISE expressed gratitude for the firefighters’ hard work.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the firefighters, first responders, and their families who have been committed to the safety of our community. We are thankful for their quick and ongoing response to the situation,” the company said in a statement on its website.
Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
