Black smoke poured over Durkeeville on Saturday afternoon after a backyard shed went up in flames, rattling neighbors and triggering a major Jacksonville Fire and Rescue response. Two adults and an infant inside the nearby home escaped without injury, but the house itself did not get off so easily, taking on damage as crews worked to knock down the blaze. Witnesses reported sharp popping and hissing sounds as the fire intensified and a thick, dark plume climbed into the sky.
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue crews reached the scene at about 3:20 p.m. and rolled out 12 fire apparatuses to tackle the flames, which officials say started in a backyard shed. JFRD confirmed that the two adults and the infant made it out safely, according to Action News Jax. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze before it jumped to neighboring properties, and investigators are working to determine what sparked the initial fire.
Neighbors told reporters the towering smoke column was "a fright," and one resident said they heard repeated "pshh, pshh" noises that turned out to be the relief valve on a 100-gallon propane tank releasing gas as the heat built up, the outlet reported. Family members who gathered at the scene received help from the American Red Cross while investigators examined how the shed caught fire, per Action News Jax.
String Of Recent Fires Has Durkeeville On Edge
Residents say this latest blaze adds to growing unease about how often fires have been breaking out in the neighborhood. An earlier vacant-home fire last year left multiple people critically injured, underscoring how quickly things can turn dangerous in older parts of the city, according to an earlier vacant home blaze. Community advocates point to boarded-up properties and aging housing stock as conditions that can make both firefighting and recovery more complicated.
What Officials Are Saying And How To Stay Safe
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue officials say their investigation into the shed fire is ongoing and are reminding residents to store propane and other fuels safely and to call 911 at the first sign of smoke or flames. General information on fire prevention and the department's response is available from the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. For neighbors shaken by the black smoke and flashing lights, local relief organizations can often assist anyone displaced while officials assess the extent of structural damage.
