News Summary
A fire at the Shore House apartments in Southside Jacksonville has left UNF student KeAisa Scott and her family homeless. The fire erupted while cooking, resulting in a total loss of their belongings. The incident raised concerns about fire safety equipment, as the family could not find a fire extinguisher, having previously been asked to place outdated ones outside for replacement. A GoFundMe campaign has been started to support the family as they begin to rebuild. The State Fire Marshall is investigating potential protocol violations.
Jacksonville, Florida
A fire at the Shore House apartments in Southside Jacksonville has left University of North Florida (UNF) student KeAisa Scott and her family homeless. The incident occurred earlier this week on Monday, shortly after Scott had returned home from grocery shopping.
The blaze ignited when Scott’s sister was cooking on the stove and briefly stepped away from the kitchen, leading to a fire that started behind the stove. Within minutes, the flames consumed the entire family’s belongings, leaving them with nothing. The emotional strain of the incident weighs heavily on Scott, who expressed deep concern for her mother, a single parent, as well as the devastating loss of every possession they had accumulated over the years.
In a frantic attempt to contain the fire before firefighters arrived, Scott’s mother searched for a fire extinguisher. However, none could be found inside their unit or in the neighboring apartments. Earlier this year, residents of the apartment complex were instructed to place their fire extinguishers outside their doors for replacement due to being outdated. Unfortunately, Scott’s family never received a new fire extinguisher following this request.
KeAisa Scott articulated that the presence of a fire extinguisher could have made a difference in containing the flames. The family’s experience highlights significant concerns regarding fire safety and accessibility to equipment within residential complexes.
As of the latest updates, the property manager of Shore House was not available for comment regarding the incident, and an email inquiry did not elicit a response. Subsequently, KeAisa Scott hopes that this incident will bring about improved access to fire safety equipment, emphasizing that no family should have to endure such a traumatic experience.
To assist her family during this challenging time, a GoFundMe account has been established. The campaign aims to provide financial support as they navigate the aftermath of the fire and begin to rebuild their lives.
The State Fire Marshall is presently investigating the fire’s cause to determine the specific circumstances surrounding the incident and whether any violations of safety protocols occurred. The case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of fire safety measures in residential buildings, particularly in ensuring that residents have ready access to functional fire extinguishing equipment.
As the community rallies to support the Scott family in their time of need, the greater issue of fire safety equipment availability and maintenance in multi-family dwellings is brought to the forefront, prompting calls for more stringent safety regulations and resident education on fire prevention.
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Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
