LAUDERDALE LAKES, FLA. (WSVN) - The Broward Sheriff’s Fire Rescue extinguished a dangerous blaze at a warehouse where the roof collapsed during the firefight.
No injuries were reported, Monday morning, but it was a close call for firefighters.
“Fortunately, at that moment, we already pushed firefighters back,” said Battalion Chief Michael Kane. “We were in a defensive fire attack mode, so there were no firefighters inside when that occurred.”
The storefront in Lauderdale Lakes on 3849 NW 19th St. went up in flames, around 9:30 in the morning.
Fire crews arrived on the scene, as they worked to protect adjacent warehouse bays.
“When units arrived, they were met with heavy smoke,” said Kane. “In fact, smoke was filling the entire street here on 19th.”
Workers were on top of the roof at the time of the fire and were ordered to leave, as firefighters continued to contain the fire.
It remains unclear whether the construction on the rooftop of the building caused the fire.
“Now, we don’t know if that contributed to the fire, but that will clearly be under investigation,” said Kane.
After the roof collapsed, the fire was deemed out of control and crews fought the flames outside of the structure.
Seventy firefighters responded, and after 90 minutes the fire was under control.
“I was working on my house in my yard, and I said, ‘Wow, someone’s house is on fire,'” said Peggy Doughtry, who lives nearby, “so I got in my car and came here and oh, my God.”
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