Three children died Wednesday morning in a fire at a two-story townhome complex in Mandarin, according to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.
The fire happened at 5:13 a.m. on Windergate Drive near Old St. Augustine Road. JFRD and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.
Fire Chief Percy Golden said crews arrived just 4 minutes later and found heavy fire on the first floor and heavy smoke on the second floor.
Two adults had already escaped with two minors before crews arrived.
A neighbor told News4JAX that a baby and an adult who were among the survivors were thrown from a second-story window and successfully caught by bystanders.
Golden said firefighters searched the home and found three children dead, and the fire was declared under control at 5:38 a.m.
“They all came from the same residence,” Golden said of the three children and the four survivors when asked if they were related. “Right now, it’s an ongoing investigation, so we can’t release any of that information at this time.”
JFRD took two adults and two children to a nearby hospital with critical injuries, Golden said.
The unit where the fire started was destroyed, and two other units were damaged, he said.
The Red Cross is helping seven adults and six children who have been displaced due to the fire.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office and JSO Homicide Unit are investigating the fire. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims or additional details about what led to the fire.
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Source: News4jax
