Fire Breaks Out at Jacksonville McDonald’s, Building Sustains Moderate Damage

A working-structure fire at the McDonald’s located at 404 Western Blvd. in Jacksonville prompted a multi-agency response after crews were dispatched midday, city officials said. The restaurant, which had already been closed due to prior impairments, sustained moderate structural damage and will remain closed while repairs and inspections are completed.

"at 12:17 p.m. the Jacksonville Fire Department was dispatched to a working structure fire at the McDonald’s located at 404 Western Blvd.," said Sarah Sinese, Jacksonville Police public information officer. Firefighters brought the blaze under control by early afternoon; officials reported the fire was extinguished by 1:10 p.m. City records and emergency dispatch logs list the response as occurring around Jan. 27.

Local emergency units converged on the scene. Onslow County Emergency Medical Services, the Jacksonville Police Department, the Onslow County Health Department and the Camp Lejeune Fire Department assisted Jacksonville Fire Department crews. Police reduced traffic in the area of Country Club Road and Western Boulevard to one lane while crews worked, and part of Western Boulevard was temporarily shut down as firefighters operated at the scene. Smoke from the fire could be seen several miles away.

The restaurant was closed at the time of the fire and no customers were inside; only a limited number of staff were on site. Officials reported no injuries among staff or customers. Jacksonville Deputy Fire Chief Shaun Hays said that "one firefighter was taken to the hospital with minor injuries." Officials have not released further information about that firefighter’s condition.

Officials described the damage as moderate and said the building will remain closed until proper repairs can be made. With the restaurant out of service, local employees are likely to face short-term scheduling disruptions and loss of shifts until the franchisee or corporate operator completes repairs and passes required health and safety inspections. The Onslow County Health Department’s presence at the scene indicates public-health concerns will be part of the post-fire review.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Jacksonville Fire Department investigators and the city’s safety officials will review the scene, interview witnesses and consult supporting agencies to determine origin and contributing factors. For affected employees and nearby businesses, the incident underscores the operational and safety ripple effects a singleworking-structure fire can bring to a local workforce.

Authorities say they will release additional details as the investigation proceeds and repairs are scheduled; meanwhile the site will stay closed pending structural and health clearances.