NORTH MIAMI, FLA. (WSVN) - Fire Rescue crews responded to a code one apartment fire in North Miami, Tuesday morning.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews were dispatched to the apartment complex along Northeast 126th Street and 11th Avenue, around 6:30 a.m.
7Skyforce flew over the scene, where the second floor of the apartment building could be seen completely engulfed in flames. Firefighters have since put out the blaze.
According to officials, the fire originated in the front left unit of the second floor and then spread to other units.
“I was sleeping, and I saw smoke,” said victim and resident Antwaune Francois. “When I opened my eyes to use the bathroom, I saw smoke in my house.”
“I was sleeping, right, and they I heard, ‘boom, boom, boom, boom,'” said victim Alfred Pierre, “and he came in, right, and he kicked my door down, and then he was like ‘Fire! Get out, get out!’ So we got out, and then all we hear was a big explosion, and then everything was just spreading. There was smoke up in the air … so I tried to go back inside and get my uncle out, and then I ran back inside. I got him out, and I tried to get my stuff out, but they got me out in time. I couldn’t get anything.”
The fire left four families without a home. “I’m on break,” said Pierre. “I’m not supposed to be going through this. I’m supposed to be enjoying my life just chilling, and now, I gotta go through this.”
Officials said this fire was particularly difficult to put out, because access to the second floor was being blocked by furniture and boxes along the hallway. Firefighters had to go in one at a time as they tried to battle the flames.
According to officials, a different building in the same complex caught fire in May. Some of those residents are still without a home, as well.
Merlande Richmon was displaced by the previous fire and said she’s frustrated. “We’re staying in a motel,” she said. “Four families, split up! Don’t have nowhere to go. I’m tired of it. I’m tired of it.”
The building has been deemed a total loss.
No serious injuries were reported. However, one person was taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.
The Red Cross is now working in aiding the families.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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