News Summary
A car carrier fire led to significant traffic disruptions on Interstate 295 West in Jacksonville, causing all southbound lanes to shut down. Firefighters quickly controlled the blaze with no reported injuries. Meanwhile, a separate fire at Jacksonville International Airport affected vehicle retrieval, damaging around 50 cars and resulting in a partial garage collapse. The ATF is investigating this incident, and a dedicated call center has been established to assist affected travelers. As Memorial Day weekend approaches, ongoing concerns remain regarding vehicle retrieval and communication difficulties with airport services.
Jacksonville – A car carrier fire on Friday evening caused significant traffic disruptions on Interstate 295 West near Commonwealth Avenue, leading to a complete shutdown of all southbound lanes. The Florida Highway Patrol reported this incident on their online traffic map, which showed the fire impacting the flow of vehicles in the area. Traffic cameras captured at least five vehicles that were on the car carrier at the time of the fire. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, according to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.
Firefighters worked quickly to bring the blaze under control, and all lanes have since been reopened, allowing traffic to resume its normal flow. However, motorists experienced delays and detours due to the initial closure, which highlighted ongoing concerns about road safety and traffic management during emergencies.
In a separate incident, a fire that broke out about a week ago at the hourly parking garage of Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) continues to affect vehicle retrieval for travelers. This fire caused damage to approximately 50 vehicles and led to a partial collapse of the parking structure. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has initiated an investigation to determine the cause and origin of this fire.
A police report filed by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority revealed that some passengers were treated for smoke inhalation due to the incident, although a specific count of injuries was not disclosed. According to security footage reviewed in the investigation, the sequence of events leading up to the fire started when a dark mid-size BMW entered the garage at 8:07 a.m. The driver exited the vehicle and headed toward the departures area just two minutes later. By 12:03 p.m., smoke was seen emanating from the vehicle, and within a minute, it was fully engulfed in flames, resulting in a rapid escalation of the situation.
This fire impacted around 1,200 vehicles that were parked in the garage at the time. As a response to the situation, a dedicated call center has been established to assist individuals in retrieving their vehicles. To date, about 231 vehicles that were damaged in the fire have been relocated to a separate reunification area for owners to claim their property.
Despite the challenges presented by the fire, the airport has confirmed that some parking areas remain in operation as travelers approach the busy Memorial Day weekend. As of Friday, various parking lots displayed differing capacities: the Daily Garage was at 47% capacity, the Daily Surface Lot was at 67%, while Economy Lots had a 69% capacity. The upcoming holiday weekend is expected to see a spike in passenger volume, which may further complicate the retrieval process for those affected by the parking garage fire.
Travelers who have had their vehicles damaged or misplaced have voiced concerns regarding communication difficulties with the airport and the valet service managed by SP+. Many individuals have expressed frustration over the lack of information and support available for retrieving their vehicles amid the ongoing disruptions.
Authorities continue to manage the aftermath of both fires, aiming to improve traffic flow and facilitate the retrieval of vehicles for travelers impacted by the airport incident. As the situation develops, residents and travelers are encouraged to stay informed for any updates related to these ongoing challenges.
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Additional Resources
- First Coast News: Vehicle Fire Shuts Down I-295
- Jacksonville.com: First Car Fire at Airport Parking Garage
- News4Jax: One Week Since JAX Garage Fire
- Click Orlando: Fire at Jacksonville Airport
- Wikipedia: Jacksonville International Airport
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.
