JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Heavy smoke from a homeless camp that caught fire on Harper Street under the Interstate 95 overpass caused traffic delays Saturday, the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department said.
Thick black smoke billowed from underneath I-95 about 2 p.m. from the fire on Harper Street between Ernest Street and Myrtle Avenue North, officials said.
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Fire officials said they could not determine the cause of the fire but said it appeared to be accidental.
The area underneath the interstate has a thick layer of shredded tires on the ground, which served as fuel for the fire.
“There was heavy black smoke because there is tire product that was underneath the interstate -- shredded tire," Sgt. Charles Ray with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said. "Temporarily, we did close parts of I-95 and traffic by itself was slowing down and stopping due to the quick smoke. However, that was quickly abated once JFRD arrived and was able to put most of the fire out quickly.”
Various other items like a cooler, mattresses and a tent were ablaze.
WATCH: Uncut viewer video of fire on Harper Street
Southbound traffic on the interstate was backed up for about 30 minutes as firefighters worked to put out the fire.
The fire did not appear strong enough to cause structural damage to the overpass, but the Department of Transportation has been notified, police said.
"Right now we are investigating those individuals that are on Department of Transportation Property," Ray said. "They will need to see whether or not they can trespass them from that property. And once that determination is made, then we can proceed from there.”
Authorities said there were no injuries in the fire.
In a statement to News4JAX, the Florida Department of Transportation said it will be reaching out to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office to discuss the homeless camp under the overpass.
"It depends on the investigation of the fires were intentionally set, they could be charged with arson and they could also be charged with trespassing or loitering," Retired Jacksonville Sheriff's deputy and News4Jax crime and safety analyst Gil Smith said. "It's difficult in these situations because it's not observable from the street."