SOUTH MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - An upscale wedding venue in South Miami-Dade was completely destroyed by an overnight fire.
Firefighters worked to put out the massive blaze, which was still smoldering hours later, at the popular “Paradise Found” venue along Southwest 153rd Avenue near Newton Road, Wednesday afternoon.
Smoke could still be smelled in the air, but nearby residents are thankful no one was hurt.
“We were scared. I was scared,” said a neighbor who did not want to be identified.
According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, the fire started in the patio and quickly spread to the interior of the structure.
Cellphone video captured by a 7News viewer shows the house engulfed in flames.
“I just heard an explosion. My dad told me that there was fire, so we got scared, so we ran,” the neighbor said.
She said her family feared the flames would jump to their property and place of business. “Smoke, smoke. A lot of smoke,” she said. “We thought it was nearby. It was right there. My dad’s first reaction was to turn on the sprinklers.”
The intensity of the flames called for a second alarm. “We ran and then I guess I kept hearing like little explosions,” she said. “Things were like exploding. It was a huge fire.”
The property is over 20 acres and is reportedly a well-known location for weddings. It has now reduced to rubble and ash, Wednesday.
According to the venue’s website, the property had two log houses and a large mansion.
It is unknown if a wedding reception was taking place at the time the fire broke out, around midnight, or if anyone was even inside the home when it caught fire.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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