Fire at RSW destroys over 3,500 rental cars, port authority says

Reporter: Breana Ross Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published: Updated:
A helicopter unit responds to the fire at the rental overflow area of RSW airport Friday, April 3, 2020. Credit: John Broadhead.

A fire that spread across 15 acres destroyed more than 3,500 rental cars at the rental car overflow area of Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) on Friday, Lee County Port Authority said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. It drew a response from every Lee County fire department with assistance from aviation and fire departments in neighboring Collier and Charlotte counties. Multiple law enforcement agencies in Southwest Florida were also on scene to assist and manage the roads.

The fire was fully contained and extinguished Saturday as crews worked through the night Friday, putting out the flames to ensure it did not continue to spread or cause further damage.

More than 3,800 rental cars, belonging to the various rental car agencies that serve the airport, were undamaged and relocated.

See more pictures from the scene Friday on the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

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