JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Fire and Rescue is trying to figure out whether record-breaking cold weather was linked to the fires that destroyed local businesses on Christmas Eve.
JFRD crews entered the building to begin work and confirmed that no people or pets were in the building during the fire.
It soon became clear that due to the growing fire and structural instability, firefighters on the scene needed to be pulled out to fight the flames from the outside.
Video from the scene showed a huge plume of smoke rising from the rubble where the building once stood.
According to business filings, the structure belongs to Schur & Company, which advertises itself as a pump repair facility specializing in pumps for pulp and paper mills.
We tried to contact the company by phone but no one answered.
Eric Prosswimmer of JFRD told Action News Jax that the first floor of the building was largely empty, but there was construction material on the second floor.
“Unfortunately, the building is completely gutted. The roof is gone. Everything inside is gone. We’re sorry for that,” Eric said. “We don’t want to see any business closures or issues like this at this time of year, but we’re thankful no one was hurt.”
JFRD said at the time it was unclear what started the fire or if cold weather was a factor. Fire chiefs are currently investigating.
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