JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Friday afternoon fire in Jacksonville International Airport’s hourly parking garage disrupted travel plans and stranded vehicles, forcing officials to close the structure and establish temporary alternatives for rental car returns.
The blaze, which sent flames shooting from the parking garage, resulted in flight delays, missed connections, and left numerous travelers unable to access their parked vehicles.
“We’ve flown lots of times, never really had any issues. Everything’s been smooth at this airport. So this is a first,” said Grant Henslee, who missed his flight due to the incident.
According to Henslee, communication issues between Southwest Airlines departments led to his reservation being marked as a no-show, resulting in a canceled flight.
The fire’s impact extended beyond the immediate garage closure, affecting both arriving and departing passengers. Some travelers face multiple days of uncertainty regarding access to their vehicles.
MORE INFORMATION: Rental car returns relocated at Jacksonville airport after garage fire
Johnathan Huggins, whose car remains trapped in a valet spot, received concerning news about the timeline.
“He said it might be two or three days, so it kind of put me in a little hole, because that’s my main type of transportation,” Huggins said. “But I’m just glad nobody got hurt.”
The incident created particular challenges for arriving passengers. Huggins, who flew in from Atlanta, learned of his flight delay while still en route to Jacksonville, adding another layer of complexity to an already challenging situation.
Some travelers managed to navigate around the disruption by monitoring news updates and planning alternate routes. Angel Studer avoided major delays by planning ahead.
“We definitely knew that we were not taking I-95 at all,” she said after learning about the situation.
The parking structure remains blocked off with caution tape at all entry points. Visible damage includes a partially collapsed beam and significant charring from the fire.
Airport officials have established temporary areas for rental car returns while the garage, which connects to rental car facilities, remains inaccessible.
