JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville Aviation Authority police report obtained by News4JAX on Tuesday revealed the timeline of the fire that damaged at least 50 cars inside the hourly garage at the Jacksonville International Airport on Friday.
According to the report, security footage showed that the initial smoke came from a mid-sized BMW that was parked in the upper level of the hourly garage.
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With the help of security video of the parking garage, officials put together the following timeline:
8:07 a.m.: Mid-size BMW dark in color, enters hourly garage through upper level access
8:09 a.m.: Woman parks and exits vehicle, walking toward departures
12:03 p.m.: Smoke observed coming from beneath the front of the vehicle
12:04 p.m.: Vehicle fully engulfed in fire. Due to the thick smoke, the video did not show how the fire spread after that.
According to the report, around 12:06 p.m., the Airport Operations Control Center received a forwarded dispatch from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office about a car on fire in the hourly garage.
JAA officers responded to the scene.
The report stated Officer Muse was the first to arrive at the scene and saw a car on fire rapidly spreading to nearby vehicles.
Due to low/no visibility, Muse helped several passengers from the hourly garage to safety.
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department also responded to the scene to battle the flames.
According to the report, firefighters treated “unknown” passengers for smoke inhalation. The report does not state how many people were treated.
The report goes on to say that the fire caused structural damage to the hourly garage, prompting its closure.
Officials said in a news conference after the fire that parts of the parking structure had partially collapsed.
On Tuesday, people who parked in the designated “safe areas” of the hourly parking garage began receiving phone calls regarding their car pickup.
According to airport officials, 10 JAX volunteers and employees began calling people on Tuesday morning to notify them that their car would be available for pickup starting at 5 p.m.
Those who have their cars parked in the hourly garage were asked to fill out an online form to receive updates regarding their vehicles. With the help of that form, airport volunteers will be able to cross-reference and notify owners if they were parked in a “safe area.”