MIAMI (AP/WSVN) — A massive fire broke out at a four-story apartment complex in Miami on Monday morning, resulting in more than 50 people being evacuated.
Firefighters and police officers arrived at the building just west of Interstate 95 near downtown Miami after receiving calls about a fire around 8:15 a.m. Monday, and began rescuing residents from the building’s balconies, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said during a news conference. Firefighters surrounded the building, coordinating their attack on the west side while evacuating residents from the east.
“We had approximately 126 firefighters, men and women from the fire department, that fought this blaze for about eight hours,” said Suarez.
Suarez also said arriving first responders also found a man with gunshot wounds at the scene. He was taken to a hospital, where he was in critical condition. Officials said the shooting is part of an active investigation.
A suspect in the shooting, later identified as 73-year-old Juan Francisco Figueroa, is in custody and faces felony charges, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and attempted felony murder.
Three firefighters were transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital due to heat exhaustion and were in stable condition, Suarez said during a news conference. Two have since been discharged, said Lt. Pete Sanchez, a spokesperson with the City of Miami-Fire Rescue. In addition, at least one resident was being treated for smoke inhalation, he said.
The gunshot victim, who was later identified as 30-year-old Feder-One Biotte, was listed as critical.
Atlantic Housing Management, the company that manages Temple Court apartments, said in a statement that one of their employees was found shot inside the complex.
“We are still determining the cause of these events, and we are checking for other injuries. Police are investigating, and we will help in whatever ways we can,” the management company’s statement said. “We are grieved by all that has happened today, and our thoughts and prayers are with our team member and his family and residents of the Temple Court community.”
7Skyforce showed flames rising from the building along with large plumes of smoke several hours after the fire started. At least two ladder trucks were pouring water and foam onto the building.
Smoke from the fire was also drifting over Interstate 95, and much of downtown Miami.
The fire forced crews into a defensive mode, working from outside the building and utilizing the nearby Miami River to shoot gallons of water onto the structure to combat the flames.
The apartment complex consists of one-bedroom and studio units near the Miami River. The flames spread through the historic 1920s wood-framed building, causing significant damage and leading to the roof collapsing.
“It was a wood-frame structure which explains the intensity,” Sanchez said.
As of early evening, Sanchez said the fire “was under control and no longer spreading, but it still needs to be extinguished.”
Residents from the building, many of them elderly, were taken to a staging area at Jose Marti Park where they were offered temporary housing, food, and any medications they needed, Suarez said. Firefighters evacuated more than 50 people.
Miami Fire Rescue and other volunteers bringing in cots as part of an all hands on deck approach to help the dozens of residents who lost it all in the fire. Every person was accounted for.
“We have 43 people in Jose Marti Park and the property management company is renting a hotel for all 43 of them after tonight to stay for the next two weeks,” said Suarez, on Monday evening.
Officials said they will transport residents to the Motel 6 Miami located in West Miami-Dade.
By Tuesday morning that number slightly increased, according to Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, there are now 47 people displaced and staying at Jose Marti. The transition though, has not been easy as many of the displaced are elderly and/or have a disability.
“She is handicapped, she could not basically move and she had all her conditions in that apartment, so it’s been hard for her to like adapt herself,” said Hansel, grandson of a displaced resident.
Family Members like Hansel, visiting the shelter to see if and when his grandmother would be able allowed into her first floor unit to salvage what she can, including her wheelchair.
“We understand that it’s for our safety basically, but at the same time we are just calling for understanding and to see if there’s like a possibility to go inside some apartments that were not like specifically damaged by the fire and see if it’s possible to save at least the important documents there,” said Hansel.
Staffers from Miami-Dade County Commissioner Keon Hardeman’s office dropping of supplies for the displaced.
“In the bag we have blankets, water, water bottles, after a long day that they didn’t have covering or something warm,” said Mandy Brown with the commissioner’s office.
7News spoke to a man who lost everything in the fire.
“I need everything. I stink,” said the man. “All my clothes were in there. Lost. All my papers so I can get them replaced. Money. I got a cat that’s like a son to me. I’m worried because I can’t get in to find, I’m sure he’s dead but even if the fire didn’t kill him, two days of starvation.”
The man stayed the night at the shelter at Jose Marti Park.
“Lousy,” he said. “Not even a wash cloth to wipe your face. Cold. People talking all night long.”
The American Red Cross has also been activated to provide additional housing for the affected residents.
“We brought phone charges, water, juice, we’re going to give them some gift cards so they can by some things. We’re going to give them $100,” said District 1 Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela.
Gabela said that his office secured 19 units.
“I, through my office, have secured 19 units, permanent units, for their ability to stay there right after they get out of the hotel because today, there suppose to be going to a hotel that’s paid for by the property owner,” he said.
Mayor Francis Suarez also weighing in on the plan to provide housing.
“From here they’re gonna go to a hotel for the next two weeks and then since many of them are Section 8, we’re already having people from the community reach out saying that they have apartments available for Section 8 recipients, so the hope is in the next two weeks to be able to put them in permanent housing,” said Suarez.
The American Red Cross is assisting families with the basic necessities. City officials say there has been an outpouring support with donations of clothes and other items.
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