The Jacksonville International Airport is expected to reopen at 5 p.m. May 16 following a fire in the airport’s hourly garage that caused the closure of the airport in the early afternoon.
About 50 cars were damaged in the fire, which also caused structural damage to the garage, officials said at a 4 p.m. news conference that included Jacksonville Aviation Director of External Affairs Michael Stewart, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Fire Chief Keith Powers and Mayor Donna Deegan.
The fire was believed to have started about noon in a car on the third floor of garage. The fire is under control, officials said, but still burning.
Stewart said the garage is partially collapsed and it could take months to fix. The airport is currently down about 3,000 parking spaces, he said.
He advised travelers catching flights to use Uber or Lyft or off-site parking lots.
In a Faceook post, JIA said passengers should check flight status with their airline or for rebooking options.
There have been no reported injuries, Deegan said.
The airport announced the closure on social media at about 12:45 p.m. May 16.
JIA said the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department was working on the issue.
It said the Sheriff’s Office blocked inbound and outbound road access to the airport.
Jacksonville City Council President Randy White issued a statement about the fire about 2 p.m. May 16:
"At this time, I have been informed there are no serious injuries reported, and operations are being assessed to ensure safe resumption of services. The safety and well-being of our residents and visitors remain our top priority," it said.
The airport said at 2:29 p.m. that while the hourly garage is closed, the daily garage, daily surface lot and economy lots are accessible.
It said airport shuttle buses will take people to their vehicles.
The pick-up location is the pre-arranged/premier parking lot on the lower level of baggage claim.
A webcam operated by Jacksonville Daily Record news partner News4Jax showed firefighters at the garage, which is east of the main terminal as separated by a road.