Weather Helps Florida Firefighters Battle Blaze At Apartment Complex

Fire officials said the fire started in one of the unit's bedrooms, got into the attic, and quickly spread.

Residents were scared when they looked out and saw billowing black smoke and flames coming from their building.

"It looked like it was going to blow," resident Marguerite Dean said.

A Jacksonville Fire-Rescue spokesman said that high winds actually helped them for a change, as it was blowing away from the building.

The American Red Cross said 17 residents at the Spring Park Road complex were receiving assistance.

Fire officials are investigating the cause of the fire. Apartment management is already making plans to rebuild.