A series of house fires in Jacksonville has culminated in tragedy, with one woman losing her life and multiple people, along with their pets, being displaced. Earlier yesterday, a fire broke out in the 2700 block of Northeastern Avenue, which resulted in the death of Tiffany Hibbs, 30. The Jacksonville Police Department and Jacksonville Fire Department were dispatched to the scene around 6:00 a.m., arriving to heavy smoke that initially prevented a thorough search. It was not until firefighters could douse the flames that they discovered Hibbs already deceased, THV11 reports.
A separate incident in the Lakewood area added to the emergency services' overnight duties, where another woman, whose identity has yet to be released, was found dead following a house fire. Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officers patrolling near Hendricks Avenue were alerted to the fire by the scent of smoke, locating the issue on Pinewood Avenue where the blaze reached 4 to 5 feet high. "The flames were approximately 4-5 feet, and they were unable to immediately make entry," Sergeant Ray Reeves told First Coast News.
In this same event, a cat was rescued from the premises by a Crime Scene Unit detective, which is currently receiving care from a veterinarian according to a statement obtained by News4Jax.
The fire departments' challenging night didn't end there. A late Tuesday night fire in the Panama Park area on East 63rd Street required Red Cross assistance for two adults and a pet. Additionally, a blaze on Howard Road in Oceanway that appeared to have begun in a garage led to the displacement of an adult, three children, and a dog earlier today. The Red Cross was also called in for support. These additional incidents did not result in any injuries.
An ongoing investigation by the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD), the Fire Marshal, JSO's Homicide Unit, and the Medical Examiner’s Office is underway to determine the precise cause of the fires. While the incidents on East 63rd Street and Howard Road appear to have been accidental, no final conclusions have been drawn as the inquiry progresses. "At this time, the incident appears to be a 'tragic accident', however, an investigation," Sergeant Reeves remarked in a follow-up discussion, as per First Coast News.
