MIAMI (WSVN) - A strip mall in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood is battling the aftermath of a fierce fire that engulfed a popular bike shop.
On Wednesday, the City of Miami Fire Rescue and Miami Police units were dispatched to Suarez Bike Shop located on Flagler Street and Southwest Ninth Avenue, just after 7:45 p.m.
One witness just happened to be walking by when the explosion happened.
“I heard a big explosion boom boom, about two to three explosions,” Pablo said.
Cellphone video captured firefighters working to put out the blaze and smoke coming from the roof of the business.
The owner’s son, Josue Suarez later confirmed the fire started due to bike batteries exploding while being cleaned by a staff member.
Suarez says his family is devastated.
“You can see on his he’s a bit worried, you know, about what we’re going to do about the money how the crisis is right,” said Josue. “We lost the bikes because of heat, but what we lost most was the repair shop.”
“He’s helped out in this community a lot. I feel bad because this is his life’s work. He was going to pass it down to us and we’ve been here ever since he been opening it and we learned everything about bikes,” said Arnold.
The bike shop has been a staple in the community for years, a place where teenagers would go and get their bikes fixed for free.
“It’s a shock. I always come here; this is my favorite bike shop,” said Jimmy Joseph. “That’s really like a grandpa.”
“It’s really sad. I come here almost two weeks,” said Brandon Acosta. “My bike always has a problem, so I always get this done. Guy is like a grandpa to me. He’s fixed all my bikes for me for free.”
Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, but the significant damage caused by the fire would not be contained to the bike shop alone, but travel to adjacent businesses.
Bukrdo’s Barbershop next door feeling the remnants of the flames early Thursday morning.
7News cameras captured the inside of the business, where the lights and drywall are hanging from the ceiling, pieces of debris scattered around the floor, and the barber stations and materials destroyed.
The owner Luis Suarez says they are devastated and uncertain about how they should move forward from this tragedy.
Suarez opened the shop 37 years ago in hopes of passing it along to his children.
The owner of Su Noventa, a jersey shop, is feeling the affects as well.
His store is now left with a harsh smell.
“It smells very bad,” he said.
The strip mall is without power and livelihoods are being affected.
Although no one was physically hurt, business Suarez and family members are now grappling, trying to figure out if and when they can reopen their business.
Suarez bike shop is temporarily closed. They hope they can open again soon.
“Maybe in a week or so, we might start repairing bikes,” said Josue.
“I don’t know if it’s going to be in the same location or not but if we manage financially to rebuild, we can rebuild and the community can help us out,” said Arnold.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help with the bike shop’s repair costs. If you would like to donate, click here.
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