A multi-vehicle fire broke out in the hourly parking garage at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) on the afternoon of Friday, May 16, 2025, forcing a complete shutdown of airport operations. Thick black smoke billowed from the third level of the garage, visible from miles away, as flames engulfed at least three vehicles. The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) responded swiftly, deploying multiple units to contain the blaze, while police cordoned off access roads, causing significant traffic disruptions. Passengers faced chaos, with flights canceled or rerouted and long queues forming outside the terminal.
The airport administration announced a temporary closure of the terminal, with no initial timeline for reopening. The fire, which started around 1:00 p.m., triggered a coordinated emergency response, prioritizing passenger and staff safety. Early reports indicate the blaze originated in the hourly garage, a key parking facility for short-term travelers, but the full extent of the damage remains under assessment.
To address the situation, JAX issued an official statement outlining key measures:
- The hourly parking garage is closed until further notice.
- All flights are suspended, and passengers should contact their airlines for updates.
- Emergency crews are working to extinguish the fire and secure the area.
- No injuries have been reported at this time.
The incident disrupted thousands of travelers, with many stranded at the airport or stuck in traffic jams stretching for miles around the facility.
Authorities respond to the crisis
The JFRD took charge of firefighting efforts, with dozens of firefighters battling the blaze under challenging conditions. The enclosed structure of the garage trapped smoke, complicating ventilation and increasing the risk of toxic exposure. A department spokesperson noted that preventing the fire from spreading to other levels was the top priority, with crews using foam and water to suppress the flames.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) closed major access routes, including Airport Road and Pecan Park Road, redirecting traffic to alternate routes like Interstate 95. The road closures led to gridlock, with some drivers reporting delays of over an hour. Authorities urged motorists to avoid the area, citing safety concerns and the need to clear paths for emergency vehicles.
Through social media, the airport kept passengers informed, advising them to stay away from the facility until further notice. The administration emphasized that safety remained the primary focus, with teams working diligently to restore normal operations as soon as possible.
Details of the garage fire
The fire erupted on the third floor of the hourly parking garage, a modern facility designed to accommodate up to 2,000 vehicles. Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang, followed by intense flames that quickly spread to nearby cars. The resulting smoke, captured in footage from security cameras, created a hazardous environment, prompting an immediate evacuation of the garage and surrounding areas.
Investigators have yet to determine the exact cause of the fire, though possibilities include an electrical malfunction, a fuel leak, or an accident involving one of the vehicles. The garage was moderately occupied at the time, which likely reduced the potential for more extensive damage. Fire suppression systems, including sprinklers, activated automatically, aiding firefighters in their efforts.
The concrete and steel structure of the garage withstood the flames, but smoke damage affected ventilation systems and interior surfaces. Structural engineers were dispatched to assess the building’s integrity, while fire investigators began examining the scene to pinpoint the fire’s origin.
Disruption to flight operations
The closure of JAX halted hundreds of flights scheduled for Friday, impacting major carriers like Delta, American Airlines, and Southwest, which operate roughly 200 daily flights at the airport. Airlines rerouted planes to nearby hubs, such as Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Tampa International Airport (TPA), while others canceled flights outright. Passengers reported delays stretching into hours, with some unable to rebook until the following day.
Inside the terminal, check-in counters were overwhelmed as travelers sought answers. Social media posts described scenes of frustration, with one passenger calling the situation “a logistical nightmare” due to limited communication from airport staff. Despite the challenges, employees worked to manage crowds and provide assistance where possible.
Airlines issued advisories urging passengers to check flight statuses online before heading to the airport. Some offered refunds or fee-free rebooking options, but uncertainty about JAX’s reopening left many travelers in limbo.
Enhanced safety protocols
To ensure safety during the incident, JAX activated its emergency protocols. All passengers and staff were evacuated from the terminal and garage, with security teams conducting sweeps to rule out additional hazards. The airport confirmed that the garage’s sprinkler system played a critical role in containing the fire before firefighters arrived.
Key safety measures included:
- Complete evacuation of the garage and adjacent areas.
- Closure of all terminal entrances and exits.
- Increased police presence to manage traffic and crowds.
- Regular updates to passengers via social media and email.
- Structural inspections to ensure the garage’s safety before reopening.
The swift and coordinated response prevented injuries, though the scale of the incident required hours of sustained effort from multiple agencies.
Passenger experiences and reactions
The airport’s closure left travelers grappling with uncertainty and inconvenience. Many expressed frustration over the lack of real-time updates, with some waiting hours in outdoor queues without access to restrooms or refreshments. A traveler bound for Chicago described spending four hours in a makeshift holding area, relying on social media for news about their flight.
Families with young children and elderly passengers faced particular hardships, with some seeking temporary shelter in nearby hotels. The airport arranged shuttle buses to transport passengers to safer locations, but the high volume of people strained resources.
Amid the chaos, moments of camaraderie emerged. Passengers shared rides, offered snacks, and helped direct others to information points. The airport’s staff, despite being stretched thin, received praise for maintaining order under pressure.
Previous incidents in airport garages
Fires in airport parking garages, while rare, have occurred at other major facilities. In January 2025, Miami International Airport (MIA) dealt with a fire that damaged 12 vehicles, temporarily halting operations. The heavy smoke in that incident, similar to JAX, posed significant challenges for firefighters and disrupted air traffic.
A more severe case occurred at London Luton Airport in 2023, where a fire destroyed over 1,400 vehicles, leading to a months-long closure of the parking facility. These incidents highlight the risks of fires in densely packed, enclosed structures and the importance of robust safety systems.
At JAX, the hourly garage was built with modern fire suppression technology, but the incident exposed potential vulnerabilities. The airport plans to review its safety protocols to prevent future disruptions.
Efforts to resume operations
The JAX administration is working to reopen the airport, pending safety clearances and structural assessments. Engineers are inspecting the garage for damage, while cleanup crews remove debris and mitigate smoke residue. The goal is to restore full operations without compromising safety.
Airlines have adjusted schedules, prioritizing critical flights and rerouting others to regional airports. The airport anticipates a phased reopening, starting with domestic flights, followed by international routes. Passengers affected by cancellations will receive support for rebooking and refunds, including compensation for parking fees.
The following steps are underway:
- Structural evaluation of the garage by engineering teams.
- Cleanup of smoke and fire damage to restore air quality.
- Coordination with airlines to resume flight schedules.
- Notification to drivers about the status of vehicles in the garage.
Options for affected travelers
With JAX closed, passengers turned to alternative travel arrangements. Nearby airports, including Orlando and Tampa, absorbed additional traffic, with airlines offering bus services to these hubs in some cases. However, the sudden influx of passengers strained ground transportation options.
Hotels near JAX saw a surge in bookings as travelers opted to wait for updates. Car rental agencies reported increased demand, with some travelers choosing to drive to their destinations or alternate airports.
Airlines provided the following options:
- Free rebooking for affected flights.
- Full refunds for canceled itineraries.
- Ground transportation to nearby airports, where available.
- Hotel vouchers for passengers facing extended delays.
Role of emergency responders
The JFRD led the firefighting effort, deploying over 50 personnel to the scene. Firefighters used specialized foam to extinguish the blaze and ventilation equipment to clear smoke. Their expertise in handling fires in complex structures minimized damage and ensured no loss of life.
The JSO managed traffic and maintained public safety, while Jacksonville’s Emergency Preparedness Division coordinated inter-agency communication. The seamless collaboration between responders was credited with preventing a more severe outcome.
The airport administration announced that a comprehensive report on the fire will be released once investigations are complete, focusing on causes and recommendations for improvement.
Future prevention measures
In the wake of the fire, JAX plans to strengthen its safety measures. Potential upgrades include additional smoke detectors and an expanded sprinkler system in the garage. The airport also intends to increase the frequency of emergency drills to better prepare staff for similar incidents.
The hourly garage, part of a recent expansion, was designed to handle growing passenger volumes. However, the fire underscored the need for ongoing maintenance and rigorous inspections.
Preventive steps under consideration include:
- Installation of advanced fire detection systems.
- Regular safety audits of parking facilities.
- Public awareness campaigns on safe parking practices.
- Enhanced evacuation protocols for faster response times.
Timeline of the response
The incident unfolded rapidly, with authorities acting quickly to manage the crisis:
- 1:00 p.m.: Fire reported in the hourly parking garage.
- 1:15 p.m.: Terminal evacuated and access roads closed.
- 1:30 p.m.: JFRD arrives and begins firefighting efforts.
- 2:00 p.m.: All flights suspended, airport issues public statement.
- 2:40 p.m.: JaxReady updates confirm ongoing closure.
This timeline highlights the urgency of the response, though the incident’s complexity delayed full resolution. The airport continues to provide updates as efforts to reopen progress.