A towering column of thick black smoke rolled over Jacksonville’s west side Monday afternoon after multiple vehicles caught fire at a junkyard, sending a dark plume visible across neighborhoods and highways. Drivers and tower cameras zeroed in on the growing cloud as firefighters rushed toward the scene.
According to First Coast News, tower cameras first picked up the smoke around 12:40 p.m. Jacksonville Fire Rescue reported that crews were heading to a junkyard in the 6600 block of West Beaver Street, where multiple cars were burning. The outlet credited WTLV for images from the scene and said its crew was on the way to gather more information as firefighters worked to get the blaze under control.
Smoke and safety concerns
Smoke from burning vehicles can contain fine particulates and noxious chemicals that irritate the eyes, throat and lungs, posing added risks for people with asthma, heart disease, older adults and children. The American Lung Association notes that during heavy smoke events, people should be alert for symptoms such as coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath.
How to protect yourself
If you see or smell smoke, keep windows and doors closed, run an air cleaner if you have one, and steer clear of the immediate area until officials give the all-clear. You can check local air-quality readings at AirNow for current conditions. For department updates and safety guidance, follow Jacksonville Fire Rescue’s information page at MyJFRD and watch for official advisories that may affect traffic or nearby neighborhoods…