110 firefighters, about one-fifth the size of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, are working on the fire Monday, according to Chief Keith Powers.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Framed photos and office equipment were left behind in the old Doro Fixture building in Downtown Jacksonville after it closed in 2016. On Sunday night into Monday morning, the ‘Rise Doro’ Apartments, which is located at the same site and anticipated opening weeks away, was ablaze.
“A lot of us grew up with the Doro building right there and it was a fixture in Jacksonville for so long,” Mayor Donna Deegan said at a 9 a.m. press conference Monday. “Truly this is heartbreaking, it’s heartbreaking to see because we were so close… this place was supposed to open in a month.”
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Chief Keith Powers says the fire at the apartments under construction, is “one of the worst” the city of Jacksonville has seen in the past decade. However, no injuries have been reported.
The apartments were supposed to open March 1. Now, Deegan says they look like “a total loss.”
What happened?
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Captain Eric Prosswimmer says firefighters responded to the fire at 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
Powers says the ‘3-alarm fire‘ started on the 6th floor and is continuing to move through the building due to “void spaces.” A 3-alarm fire is considered a serious fire where the amount of resources used on extinguishing the fire, are “duplicated” twice from the original amount, JFRD says. Resources include firefighters, firetrucks and etc.
“This fire went to a third alarm, which means we have about 110 firefighters on scene, and that consists of about 12 engines, seven ladders, six rescues and a multitude of support apparatus,” Powers told First Coast News. “I think we’re gonna get days into this, just because of all the void spaces that are up there and because it’s not safe for us to put personnel inside, that means we have to work on it from the outside.”
110 firefighters is about one-fifth the size of JFRD, according to Powers. He says firefighters “made a big stand” with containing the fire so that it didn’t spread to flammable items inside of Intuition Ale Works nearby.
Right now, the cause of the fire is unknown as the State Fire Mashal is investigating.
Potential for building collapse?
In terms of a potential collapse of the apartment, Powers says with the roof burning, the walls can either cave in or fall outward, which then loses the integrity of the building so, “there is a concern.”
Road closures
Bay Street from Georgia to Lafayette Street is closed and A. Philip Randolph from Duval to Bay Street is closed.
Forsyth Street and East Adams Street around the apartment complex is closed.
East Duval Street is open.
Air quality risks
The city of Jacksonville says for those who are at risk – people with asthma, COPD, or heart disease; or who are pregnant and children – should avoid being outdoors near the smoke and/or consider wearing a KN95 mask to filter out the particulate matter.
Powers says weather conditions are “luckily” windy so, smoke isn’t sitting in one place.
Rise Doro’s response to fire
Rise Doro released the following statement on its website in regards to the fire:
“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.”
