MIAMI (WSVN) - A devastating fire has left a family homeless right before the holidays, as their residence inside an apartment complex in Little Havana went up in flames.
Miami Fire Rescue responded to the blaze, located at an apartment complex north of Flagler Street and 21st Avenue Tuesday night, which originated on the second floor, leaving a charred mess behind.
Rawad Kemeh was in town from Philadelphia to visit a friend at the apartment directly across from the one that caught on fire.
“We heard the smoke detector, you know, the alarm’s going off and then we opened the door, all you can see is the smoke,” Kemeh said.
Through the smoke, they were able to get everyone safely out. From elderly residents to children and pets.
“I was scared if anybody was there, any kids, any pets. There’s a lot of cats in the building,” he said. We got all the cats out.”
Officials said that fire started in a kitchen.
“As we made our way inside, we found that there was a kitchen that was on fire,” said Miami Fire Rescue Capt. Ignatius Carroll.
Their preliminary findings were that the fire was likely accidentally.
Fire rescue are now giving out a warning.
“Now this incident that happened in the kitchen could have probably been prevented, but we want people to be mindful of the activities that take place in the kitchen.”
Two units were damaged, displacing a total of 10 people, including 5 children.
No injuries were reported.
The American Red Cross is helping two families.
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