Several Families Displaced After Miami Apartment Fire
MIAMI (CBS4) – Miami Fire Rescue investigators are looking into the cause of a fire that damaged several units early Friday morning.
The fire started around 6 a.m. in the building, located at 120 NW 59th Street. When firefighters arrived, the back of the building was engulfed in flames.
Neighbors who live in this small apartment building woke up to a scorching surprise.
Latoyah Stephens, whose apartment was damaged by the fire, said she was still in bed when the fire occurred.
"I was asleep until his brother came in the house and said, 'Everybody get out, get out,'" Stephens said.
A van and a shed just next to their apartment was fully engulfed in flames. Chopper4 flew over the scene where small explosions were seen.
"We believe that the explosions that we heard were the sounds of the tires and of course the gas tank from the back of the van that is probably what blew up," Ignatius Carroll with Miami Fire Rescue said.
Everyone inside the building managed to get out safely and nobody was hurt.
Although it was the strong smell of smoke that awoke Marice Pierre. She has no idea how her van caught on fire.
"I see the fire...big outside...I see big fire," Pierre said.
Firefighters said the fire spread into the attic of the quadplex and damaged the roof on several units.
Meanwhile, residents now trying clean up and move what left of their belongs after a fire nearly took it all.
