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Jacksonville Deck Collapse Injures 8

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/02/13/jacksonville-deck-collapse-injures-8.html
  Published in House and Home on Friday, February 13th 2026 at 11:53 GMT by 7News Miami
      Locales: Florida, UNITED STATES

JACKSONVILLE, FL - February 13th, 2026 - A celebratory gathering turned chaotic this afternoon when a deck collapsed at a rental home near Jacksonville, injuring eight individuals. The incident, which occurred around 2:00 PM EST, is prompting a wider review of safety standards for short-term rental properties across the region.

Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, located in the suburban outskirts of Jacksonville. Witnesses reported hearing a loud cracking sound followed by the sudden failure of a substantial portion of the deck, sending guests tumbling to the ground. First responders immediately provided on-site triage, stabilizing several victims before transporting them to local hospitals, including UF Health Jacksonville and Baptist Medical Center.

Details regarding the specific injuries are still emerging, but authorities confirm the injuries range from minor sprains and fractures to more serious, though currently non-life-threatening, conditions. Names of the injured have not been released pending notification of families.

The property in question is a single-family home listed on several popular short-term rental platforms. It appears the gathering was a private event, likely a birthday or similar celebration, with more attendees than typically occupy the residence. While the exact number of people on the deck at the time of the collapse is still under investigation, preliminary reports suggest it was significantly over the recommended weight capacity.

However, investigators are not solely focused on overloading as the potential cause. The incident has triggered an immediate and comprehensive assessment of the deck's construction and maintenance history. The local building inspection department is currently scrutinizing permits, previous inspection records (if any), and the overall structural integrity of the deck itself. The age of the deck, materials used in its construction, and evidence of potential weathering or wood rot are all being considered.

This incident arrives at a crucial moment. The Jacksonville metropolitan area, like many coastal cities, has seen an explosion in the number of short-term rentals in recent years, driven by platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. While these rentals offer economic benefits to homeowners and tourism revenue for the city, concerns about safety regulations and consistent inspections have been growing. Currently, regulations regarding deck safety within short-term rentals are often less stringent than those applied to long-term residential properties.

"We need to ask ourselves if current oversight is adequate," stated City Councilwoman Patricia Miller in a press conference held shortly after the incident. "The rise of short-term rentals presents unique challenges. Owners are often not local, and routine maintenance checks may be overlooked. We must ensure the safety of both renters and neighbors."

Following today's collapse, the Jacksonville Building Department announced a proactive initiative to inspect a sampling of similar rental properties in the area. The focus will be on decks and balconies, with inspectors specifically looking for signs of structural weakness, improper construction, or lack of regular maintenance. The city is also exploring the possibility of requiring more frequent and thorough inspections for all short-term rentals.

Industry experts suggest that the incident will likely spur a wider conversation statewide about regulating short-term rental safety. The Florida Vacation Rental Management Association has issued a statement expressing sympathy for the injured and pledging cooperation with authorities. They also called for a collaborative effort between lawmakers, rental platforms, and property managers to establish clear and enforceable safety standards.

The investigation into the cause of the deck collapse is ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the property's maintenance history or the events leading up to the incident to come forward. This is a developing story and will be updated as more details become available.