MIAMI (WSVN) - Several families have been displaced after a fire ripped through an apartment building in Miami.
City of Miami Police and Fire Rescue responded to the scene in the area of Northwest 17th Street and First Court, at around 1 a.m., Tuesday.
According to officials, the fire started inside one of the downstairs units.
7News spoke with Larry Dowdell, who lives in the home where the fire started.
He said he wasn’t home at the time but was nearby.
“When I was coming down the street I smelled smoke,” Dowdell added. “No flames were coming out of the kitchen. I think it started in the bedroom. I saw the flame come out the bedroom. I hear, ‘Boom.’ That’s all I heard.”
7News spoke with the property manager who said four units were affected as a result of the fire.
Resident Evelyn Johnson said she smelled the smoke, grabbed her dog and ran out of her apartment.
“I was asleep. The smoke got me up, and it was coming through the room. The smoke was coming through the walls,” said Johnson. “I just jumped out, grabbed my dog and left out the house.”
No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.
“A lot of smoke, a lot of blackness. Barely could breathe,” said resident Alexandria Brown. “It was unbelievable. I just want to be in bed, but my baby’s safety is first. Everybody was just trying to make sure all the neighbors had evacuated the building. It was unbelievable at this time of morning, but I’m glad that everyone is OK.”
The American Red Cross has since responded to help the families affected.
“Disappointed I gotta leave but I thank the Lord I’m OK,” said Johnson.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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