SWEETWATER, FLA. (WSVN) - Police said they are investigating a fire that erupted from a trailer in Li’l Abner Mobile Home Park in Sweetwater as an act of arson.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to the scene after the blaze was first reported at around 11:15 p.m., Tuesday.
The fierce flames engulfed what appears to be an abandoned trailer on Northwest 112th Avenue and First Terrace.
Cellphone video captured flames shooting out of the vacant mobile home.
Firefighters conducted a fire attack and were able to get the fire under control.
This is the second fire that has erupted in the trailer park since February.
Some residents looked on as firefighters fought the giant blaze that left the trailer charred.
Martha Torres, a neighbor who lives next door to the demolition site, told 7News in Spanish that she came out of her home and saw the massive blaze.
She added it was a scary sight due to the closeness of the fire to surrounding trailers and construction debris.
The incident comes only a day after residents were forced to evacuate their homes due to new developments.
Residents of Li’l Abner Mobile Home Park received an eviction notice in November of last year, after officials said they would begin preparations to tear their community down in order to begin a new development project in its place.
The residents were told they needed to vacate their homes by midnight on Monday; however, over 180 residents protested the demolition, vowing not to leave until they were forced to by a judge’s order.
“I’m going to stay until the end, until a lawyer tells me to leave” said a resident.
While many have taken the property owners’ payout to leave, other residents are still in their homes as the class action lawsuit against various parties continue.
One of those residents is Roberto Diaz De Villegas, a senior citizen who just had open-heart surgery and is worried about his health and safety living next to a demolition site.
He said part of a car port fell onto his property, dinging his car Wednesday morning.
He has asked crews to stop as he’s concerned debris could hit the propane tanks he has next to his barbecue.
Torres told 7News she doesn’t understand why the demolition continues around the places where people are still living.
“I don’t understand why the construction crews continue demolition in these particular spots when there are still people right next door. They’re human beings living right next door,” the neighbor said.
No injuries were reported.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office is taking over the arson investigation. They have provided no comment on any potential subjects.
Sweetwater Police said they will be conducting routine patrols of the mobile home park to ensure everyone’s safety.
Copyright 2026 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.