News Summary
A vehicle fire at Jacksonville International Airport caused significant disruptions, leading to the temporary closure of the hourly parking garage. The blaze erupted in the afternoon and quickly spread to an estimated 50 vehicles, prompting a swift response from the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries, although the fire led to the closure of parking facilities and challenges for travelers. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.
Jacksonville
On May 16, 2025, a vehicle fire in the hourly parking garage of Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) led to a temporary closure of the facility, causing significant disruption to travelers and flights. The fire broke out around noon when a single vehicle ignited on the second floor, quickly spreading to an estimated 50 other cars, prompting a swift response from emergency services.
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) reported that the intense flames resulted in partial structural collapses on both the second and third floors of the garage. In total, seven fire engines were deployed to combat the blaze. Firefighters worked diligently to bring the fire under control, which was achieved by approximately 1:30 p.m. However, the airport acknowledged the closure shortly before 1 p.m., which lasted over four hours.
Local authorities confirmed that there were no injuries reported in connection with the fire, an outcome that prompted relief among officials and the public. To assist in the search for any potential victims and to assess the damage safely, firefighters employed a drone to navigate the hazardous environment of the parking garage.
JAX reopened for both inbound and outbound flights at 5 p.m., although certain areas of the airport remained inaccessible. The hourly and daily parking garages, which provide around 2,000 parking spots, were closed overnight as a precautionary measure following the incident. At the time the fire erupted, the hourly garage was reported to be nearly full, with occupancy levels ranging between 90-95%.
Travelers were recommended to utilize alternative transportation methods, such as ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, or to consider off-airport parking facilities, as the situation continued to unfold. While the overall operations of JAX resumed, the limitations on parking posed challenges for numerous passengers arriving and departing from the airport.
As of yet, the exact cause of the vehicle fire remains undetermined, and local authorities are conducting an ongoing investigation. This includes a thorough review of surveillance footage from the garage to piece together the events leading to the fire. Additionally, the make and model of the vehicle that initially caught fire have not been disclosed.
Although the fire’s rapid spread caused only one flight to be diverted to Orlando International Airport (MCO), the incident raised safety concerns among passengers and staff alike. As investigations proceed, the airport and emergency services continue to assess the impact of the fire and work on preventing similar occurrences in the future.
This event underscores the importance of stringent safety measures in public facilities and the readiness of local fire services to respond swiftly to emergencies. As JAX returns to normal operations, travelers and airport management remain vigilant about safety protocols to ensure the well-being of all airport visitors and staff.
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Additional Resources
- News 4 JAX
- Wikipedia: Jacksonville International Airport
- Jacksonville.com
- Google Search: Jacksonville International Airport fire
- Action News JAX
- Google Scholar: Jacksonville International Airport vehicle fire
- CBS 12
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jacksonville International Airport
- First Coast News
- Google News: Jacksonville International Airport fire
