SUNRISE, FLA. (WSVN) - A fire broke out at a South Florida townhouse complex, which affected eight homes that inspectors have deemed unsafe.
Sunrise Fire Rescue crews arrived to the Country Squire Townhouses at 10725 NW 30th Place, Monday afternoon, around 2:30.
According to fire rescue, it was a three-alarm fire, and Lauderhill Fire Rescue also responded to the scene to assist.
“We heard a big noise,” said a child whose family was affected by the fire, “and then we heard another big noise, and everybody was like, ‘Come on! Come on!'”
Firefighters believe the fire started at the first home in the corner. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
7Skyforce hovered over the fire where smoke was seen coming from the roof of one of the homes.
“The end units are single story and the middle units are two-story,” explained Sunrise Fire Chief John McNamara, “but ironically enough they all share a common attic space, and that sometimes impacts our ability to stop fire once it’s already inside of that attic.”
All residents at the complex were evacuated and accounted for. However, some pets did not survive.
“It was total chaos and shocking,” said Bobbi Mishel, president of the townhomes. “I mean we heard a couple of explosions, and there were tons of fire rescues and police, and it just saddens me that this just happened.”
Firefighters said eight units are now off limits because of this fire. The first four have extensive fire damage. Officials said the power had to be turned off, which impacted the last few homes toward the end of the building.
“We’re gonna limit access to all eight units,” said McNamara, “but there is significant damage to four of the eight units where we were able to stop the fire from progressing.”
Crews contained the fire by 5 p.m.
No injuries were reported, and the Red Cross is helping those eight families who were displaced.
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