A brush fire early Friday morning led to the evacuation of several individuals from their homes on the Southside of Jacksonville.

Evacuation from Arc Jacksonville Villages

Nine residents were evacuated from the Arc Jacksonville Villages, a housing community designed for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Kari Bates, President of the Arc, expressed gratitude to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) and their team for safely evacuating everyone.

Cause of the Fire

The Florida Forest Service reported that the fire originated from a warming fire at a homeless camp located in the nearby woods. Action News Jax crews observed burnt clothing and shopping carts near the affected area.

Minimal Damage and No Injuries

Fortunately, there was no damage to nearby properties, and no injuries were reported as a result of the fire.

City’s Response and Policies

Action News Jax reached out to the City of Jacksonville regarding their policies for monitoring homeless camps and ensuring safety in such situations.

Responses from City Spokesperson

• Tracking of Homeless Camps: The city does not maintain a comprehensive list of homeless camps due to their transient nature across Jacksonville’s vast expanse.
• Monitoring Camps: The city is aware of some camps downtown and relies on citizen reports for camps affecting safety or causing disturbances.
• Ensuring Safety: Public safety is a priority, with first responders promptly addressing incidents. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office collaborates with the city to investigate and clear any unsafe elements, and JFRD swiftly responds to fires.

Conclusion

The incident underscores the challenges associated with managing homeless populations and ensuring safety for residents in proximity to such camps. Prompt response from emergency services helped mitigate the impact of the brush fire. For more updates and news, download The Local News App.

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