JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Travelers continue to trickle into the Jacksonville International Airport to pick up their cars from the hourly garage that, on Friday afternoon, experienced a fire that damaged at least 50 vehicles.
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Since the airport announced that people can begin picking up their cars, there has been a steady flow of people arriving who either walk directly to pick it up or have escorts provided if they have any trouble finding theirs.
But one sentiment is consistent: People just want their cars back.
“I’m just excited to get my car,” said one traveler named Tony. “We’re thrilled, we feel very blessed [that] there was no damage and we can get our car.”
“My wife dropped me off and I’m looking forward to getting my car,” said another traveler named Johnny. “They said it would probably have a smoke smell in the car, and I cracked my windows, because it was hot.”
Many others expressed excitement to get their cars, adding that their cars had little to no damage.
The aforementioned fire that damaged at least 50 cars inside the hourly garage at the Jacksonville International Airport on Friday left the airport with fewer parking spaces and more headaches for travelers.
MORE: Full coverage of fire at JAX hourly garage
Starting Tuesday, drivers who had been contacted by the airport directly were able to start retrieving their cars from the undamaged portion of the hourly garage.
Officials said 10 JAX volunteers and employees began calling people on Tuesday morning to notify them that their car would be available for pickup on Tuesday evening. The call center will be staffed again starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Those who have their cars parked in the hourly garage were asked to fill out an online form to receive updates regarding their vehicles.
With the help of that form, airport volunteers can cross-reference and notify owners if they were parked in a “safe area.”
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