NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Two families have been displaced from their homes after a fire ripped through their apartment complex, early Wednesday morning.
Two of the units, the one where the fire initially started and the one next to it, are the apartments belonging to the two families who have been displaced. Red Cross was on the scene trying to help those families.
According to City of Miami Fire Rescue, a total of 12 rescue units responded to a fire inside the apartment complex, located near 11th Avenue and Northwest 29th Street, at around 7:40 a.m.
By the time fire units arrived, most people had escaped to safety on their own. However, many residents were rescued by firefighters.
“It was burning, so the first I did was get my pets,” one resident said.
Another resident was alerted by someone banging on his door.
“They banging on my door saying ‘Fire, everybody out.'” Ivan Aguilera said. “They knocking on every door.”
Twelve City of Miami Fire-Rescue units responded and were able to put out the flames by 8 a.m.
“Proceeded to attack the fire in the first floor,” said City of Miami Fire-Rescue Captain Oscar Borras. “The fire had already migrated to the second floor and parts of the roof.”
Investigators said foul play is not suspected, and that it appears an A.C. unit caught fire, or the electric work caught fire, igniting the flames.
“Once I got out, everything was black. You couldn’t see anything,” said Omar Mena, who escaped the fire, “so I was looking for my mom, searching for my mom, and once I got her out of the way, I went back up to get the animals. I got my cat, which is him.”
Power and water was turned back on in the apartments by Wednesday afternoon, and most residents were able to return to their homes.
“The important thing that everybody is safe,” Daniel Bermudez, who lives in the apartments, said. “Nobody got hurt.”
Crews said everyone was able to evacuate the building safely without injury.
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