MIAMI (WSVN) - Crews have put out a fire that broke out in the eastern part of Brickell City Centre.
Nine City of Miami Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the blaze in the east tower, Thursday afternoon.
About 30 firefighters arrived and got to work battling the flames.
Crews were able to find the source of the fire. Officials said the fire sparked in the area of the valet awning of the EAST Miami hotel. Investigators said artificial grass on top of a ledge of the east tower ignited.
Police said strong winds in the area made determining the source of the flames particularly difficult for firefighters.
Videos sent to 7News showed smoke billowing from an exterior part of the building. Some of the clips were recorded from nearby high-rises.
“Oh, my God,” said a woman as she pointed at the flames.
“It’s generated enough smoke that caused a lot of concern for neighboring people,” said Miami Fire Rescue Capt. Ignatius Carroll.
Cellphone video also showed a number of people being evacuated from the mall.
Brickell City Centre’s east tower houses several businesses, including the rooftop bar Sugar, as well as several condos and hotel rooms.
A hotel guest in town to attend a wedding in the Florida Keys said the fire burned a little too close for comfort.
“We were walking out, that’s when everything started happening,” he said. “Glass started breaking, flames started to shoot up, and stuff was falling down, and then we walked by. You could see the flames were right on the second or third floor, and it was really close.”
Fortunately, no one was injured, and no smoke penetrated the interior of the hotel or the restaurants.
“When we arrived, we were … happy to know that the staff here at the hotel and the Brickell City Centre evacuated everyone out of here safely so the fire department could do their job,” said Carroll.
First responders rendered aid to a woman who apparently lost consciousness on a sidewalk along Eighth Street.
Officials said firefighters had the fire under control within 15 minutes.
Just after 4 p.m., 7News cameras captured an active scene, as first responders walked in and out of the building and several fire trucks remained parked outside.
Cameras also showed part of the east tower charred, as residents and employees waited near the entrance.
Several streets were closed near the complex while crews worked to put out the fire. They have since reopened to traffic.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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