January Incidents 2021

Finally, the 'new' year has arrived, a year most have anxiously been awaiting in light of the pandemic governed year of 2020, and for the men and women of the Jacksonville Fire/Rescue Department the new year of 2021 quickly brought forth the first massive, pernicious Third Alarm fire during the early evening hours on Saturday, January 9th. Shortly after 5:30 PM that day, units were dispatched to 17 West Union Street, a location downtown crews were quite familiar with, considering the venerable and historical two story building formerly known as the Moulton & Kyle Funeral Home has proudly stood at that site for many, many decades: 107 years, to be more precise. Upon approach firefighters spotted and reported flames visible from the second floor, a veridical fact that would soon become far worse and render any attempt at an interior attack moot, the latter underscored by an inevitable partial roof collapse, and therefore sealing the fate of this proud landmark of our downtown heritage. In rapid succession, crews began assembling to the tune of over 130 firefighters at the scene engaging in a valiant and successful fight to protect adjacent exposures, ensure neighboring propane tanks from a nearby convenience store were shielded and kept cool and safe and, above all else, that these efforts would not result in any injuries to either firefighters or civilians. With the successful completion of these and other combat objectives at the scene, the tragic loss of this abandoned yet proud structure presented a sad epilogue to what had been a thoroughly professional display of firefighting prowess and skill demonstrated, yet again, by 'Jacksonville's Finest.' Both cause of the fire and damage estimates are still being actively pursued by the State Fire Marshal's office and other government agencies.