SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - An investigation is underway after a Southwest Miami-Dade bakery went up in flames overnight.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue received a call of a fire along Bird Road and Southwest 57th Avenue, shortly after midnight, Tuesday.
Upon their arrival, crews found smoke coming from the Delicias de España bakery. Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring businesses.
“It must’ve been like 20 fire trucks. I’ve never seen anything so massive in my life,” said Carmen Franchi De Alfaro, who owns the consignment shop next door. My heart started beating. This is our life. Nothing happened to us, thank God, but our neighbors – extensive damage.”
The fire is believed to have started in the deli area. However, it is unclear how it began.
Ernesto Llerandi, who started the business with his wife could not help but get choked up when he said just how long they’ve been around. “Twenty-one years,” he said.
“I saw the smoke, but I didn’t think it was gonna be as bad as it was,” said Andres Cuadriello, Llerandi’s grandson. “It still doesn’t feel real, but you can’t do anything about it now.”
Their Southwest Miami-Dade location is one of three family-owned businesses. About 50 employees have been affected by this fire alone.
“Many people will now miss out on parties this Christmas, but hey, we have to work hard however we can and see what happens,” said Llerandi.
“There is quite a bit of damage,” said MDFR Capt. Manny Dominguez. “This business is probably going to be out of service for a little while.”
Despite the blaze, Cuadriello said they plan to rebuild.
“We started off with two tables. Now, we own, practically, the whole building, and we were just going to renovate and take over the island side, so I mean, if we can do that, then I think we can overcome this,” he said.
According to officials, a firefighter was injured at some point during the response. He was taken to the hospital for treatment. However, how he was hurt has not yet been confirmed.
No other injuries were reported.
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