A car fire in a Florida airport parking garage led to chaos and disruptions for travelers on Friday. The blaze, which started on the third level of the hourly parking garage at Jacksonville International Airport, quickly spread, damaging an estimated 50 vehicles. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries related to the incident, but the airport had to shut down as authorities worked to control the fire.
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan announced during a press conference that both the hourly and daily parking garages would be off-limits for the rest of the day. The Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department used drones to ensure no one was left in the garage once firefighters completed their initial sweep. However, Chief Keith Powers mentioned that cleanup and damage assessment would be a lengthy process due to structural collapses on the third and second floors.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, as Chief Powers confirmed that airport video footage only shows the fire starting with one vehicle. The incident caused road closures, increased traffic, and confusion for those trying to reach the airport. While the airport eventually resumed operations later that day, the affected garage areas remain closed, leading to a temporary shortage of parking spots. Travelers are encouraged to explore alternative commuting options such as rideshares, carpooling, and at-terminal drop-off and pick-up until the situation is resolved.
