Massive apartment blaze breaks out in Miami – dozens evacuated as fire crews discover shooting victim at same building
A MASSIVE fire has broken out at a Miami apartment building after a shooting, with one man shot and multiple patients rushed to the hospital.
The four-story apartment building in Miami, Florida, burst into flames on Monday morning with billowing smoke coming from the top floors.
Firefighters rushed to the scene after a call was made around 8:15 am claiming there was an explosion, according to ABC affiliate WPLG.
The fire erupted on the third floor of the building, fire officials said.
“This is a three-alarm fire. We haven’t had one in 25 years, and so this is something that is obviously a large event for us and they’re doing a heroic job in dealing with it, including rescuing residents throughout this incident,” City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said during a press conference.
Suarez said more than 40 units responded to the fiery scene.
When police arrived at the fire, they also found a man who had been shot in the abdomen on the third floor, according to the outlet.
He was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition, according to WPLG.
Police are uncertain if his injuries were self-inflicted or if there is a suspect.
RESCUE EFFORTS
Many of the apartment residents are elderly and immobile and had to be rescued from their balconies, fire officials said.
The Temple Court Apartments has over 30 units both one-bedrooms and studios.
“The fire started moving, the first floor, the second floor, all the way up to the fourth floor,” said a man who lives in Temple Court, according to CBS News.
“We had firefighters come up for us so we could get down the stairs. We couldn’t get down the ladder because we had someone in a wheelchair.”
Over 50 residents were evacuated, according to local Fox affiliate WSVN.
Two firefighters were also transported to a hospital due to heat exhaustion, but are both in stable condition, according to WPLG.
Firefighters are not inside the building and are only fighting the fire from the outside, according to a press conference from local authorities.
We haven’t had one in 25 years, and so this is something that is obviously a large event for us and they’re doing a heroic job in dealing with it.
Francis Suarez
Crews have been working to extinguish the fire for over two hours.
“Right now we are just trying to get better control so it doesn’t spread to any of the other buildings,” said Miami Fire Rescue Captain Ignatius Carroll, according to CBS News.
“It’s a very stubborn fire that is spreading throughout the building which obviously makes it very difficult to reach when you’re doing a defensive attack. What’s happening is that the fire is spreading into areas that are not being addressed by any water or fire hoses.”
At this time, police are uncertain if the shooting and fire are connected.
Police have affirmed there is no danger to the public and it was an isolated shooting.
Residents have been moved to Jose Marti Park where they will be given food and connect with their families.
The U.S. Sun has contacted the Miami Police Department for an update.
