HALLANDALE BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - The Hemispheres Condominium has ordered their residents to evacuate the buildings for the next three days.
There are four buildings that have been impacted and a heavy presence of Hallandale Beach Police officers surrounding the area, Friday afternoon.
Broward Sheriff’s Fire Rescue arrived to the scene of a fire in the electrical room on of one of the buildings in Hallandale Beach, earlier in the day.
The fire happened in the building located at 1965 S. Ocean Drive, Friday morning. 7Skyforce hovered over the scene where smoke was seen coming from the electrical room on the first floor of a detached building alongside the marina.
Authorities said that the fire impacted what they call the building’s life safety system, their AC system and water.
“The sprinkler system is not working, the fire alarm mechanism, which is also attached to a monoxide detector, carbon monoxide detectors,” said Hallandale Beach Police Capt. Megan Jones. “All those things are not functioning, so God forbid, something else happens, we wouldn’t get the proper notifications to send rescue and police to assist those individuals who need it.”
The building was evacuated as firefighters worked to put out the flames.
“They told us that we have to evacuate as soon as possible,” said a resident.
Everyone was ordered out following the fire, and they only had a couple hours to do so. This is the only building that was to have a mandatory evacuation. Officers have been going door to door of the residence telling those they have to leave.
The most vulnerable population was told they had four hours to evacuate. Others were told they had until midnight to leave.
The other three buildings that make up Hemispheres Condominium were placed on voluntary evacuation. City Officials said that residents of the other three buildings were told they don’t have to leave but to know that the air conditioning systems are not working due to the electrical fire, which impacted the entire condominium.
“We’re encouraging the other buildings to leave as well because we don’t know the magnitude of repair that needs to be done in the event that more power or water needs to be shut off. We don’t want people to be in despair or have someone trying to relocate to somewhere else,” said Jones.
“So, unfortunately, we have to leave,” said a resident. “It’s a little panic, but they said, for now, three to five business days.”
City officials and the American Red Cross are helping residents who need assistance to evacuate. They also have a staging area that has been activated at South City Beach Park.
“I’m not feeling good, I have a hernia, I have a diabetes, I have pressure,” said another resident.
Authorities told 7News, an engineer will enter the structure to make sure it is safe for residents to return. Hallandale Beach Police said it isn’t an issue with the structure of the building. Residents are hoping to be able to go home soon.
“Hopefully, everything will be fine, and we’ll be safe, and they fix the building,” said a resident.
If you live in one of the towers, there is an emergency hotline for you to be able to call at 954-457-5320.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.