Police Identify Man Killed In NW Dade Stable Arson Fire
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A man who died in a Miami-Dade stable fire over the weekend which also claimed the lives of several horses has been identified.
The fire broke out in a stable on a horse ranch at 15545 NW 122nd Avenue about 1 a.m. Sunday. Investigators have determined it was arson.
After the fire was out, a male body was discovered in the rear of the stable. Police identified him as 47-year old Sergio Fernandez who worked and lived on the property.
At least three horses and a dog died in the blaze, several others made it out safely.
Monday crews started cleaning up the damage and corpses left behind from yesterday's fire.
Also, an investigator with Animal Recovery Mission was at the site and says the barn was used for many illegal activities, including torture.
Richard Couto, an A.R.M. investigator said, "I could see an animal fighting ring- the rooftop of that and it looks to me like evidence of illegal slaughter on this property".
Piece by piece the damage after Sunday's fatal fire and apparently *before* is becoming more apparent.
Couto said, "I did go in and talk to operators. They did not want me on site and they didn't want me to see what was over one of the walls."
"On this property you're looking at some of the structures on the rooftop and behind some high walls and these guys are into horse slaughter, illegal slaughter of all types, animal fighting," said Couto.
A.R.M. Investigator Richard Couto says this isn't the first time he's dealt with Rubio Ranch. In 2010, Couto says Rubio Ranch was operating at a different location, a quarter mile down the street. He said it was shut down for illegal slaughtering.
"Once they were shutdown we never knew where they reopened, well this is where they reopened," said Couto.
We tried contacting the owner of Rubio Ranch but we were hung up on.
It took Miami-Dade firefighters about half an out to extinguish the fire, Sunday. Chief Fire Officer Cesar Fabal said the fire was difficult to fight because there were no hydrants in the area and firefighters had to pump in water from a nearby canal.
"It's challenging because you're dealing with time constraints and you have to put the fire out as quickly as possible and you have to shuttle water to the scene," explained Fabal.
Nelson Cardoza rushed to try to help his horses.
"I've got three horses in there," he said.
Cardoza said the heat was so intense it was difficult to help the animals.
"We couldn't take them out. There was horses back there with a little dog over there. We tried to bring them in but the heat," he said.
One of his horses was injured in the fire.
Firefighters said the stable is a total loss.
