Miami Fire Forces 28 Residents Out of Older Building

Miami Fire Rescue crews extinguished a fire in an apartment building on Northwest 53rd Avenue and Northwest 7th Street early Tuesday morning. The blaze originated on the fourth floor and displaced 28 residents, while two people were transported to a hospital for smoke inhalation treatment.

Fire officials stated that 35 units responded to the call, placing more than 80 firefighters at the scene. The fire was brought under control within 30 to 40 minutes. Fifteen apartments sustained damage, and city officials assessed the scene immediately after crews arrived.

Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins visited the building and noted that its age contributed to the challenges faced by firefighters. She said the hallway was covered in black soot and that many residents used wheelchairs. Because the older structure lacked standpipes, firefighters connected to a street hydrant to pump water up to the fourth floor.

Higgins emphasized the importance of the nearby fire station. She stated that if the response time had exceeded 10 minutes, the outcome could have been different. The building's elevator is expected to remain out of service until the end of the week.

Residents on the fourth floor described the chaotic conditions during the evacuation. Ariel Hernandez, who lives on that floor, said smoke was so thick that he could not see his hands after opening his door. Fernando Vargas, who lives next to the unit where the fire started, waited on his balcony for rescue crews. He said he told himself to relax, though he found it difficult.

Raiza Gonzalez, another resident, said she was scared when the alarm sounded throughout the building. She watched paramedics take neighbors to the hospital. City Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela said the building owner agreed to assist residents in finding housing. The city is also providing gift cards and food to those displaced.

Gabela shared preliminary information about the cause of the fire. He said a resident noticed fire in an outlet box and his wife opened a sliding glass door on the balcony. This allowed more oxygen into the room, which worsened the flames. The fire chief advised residents to be careful about introducing oxygen during a fire.

Other residents are staying with family members or receiving aid from the Red Cross. Lucero Vargas rushed to the building to check on her brother, Fernando. She told him to enjoy life and noted that one never knows what will happen while sleeping.