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Alleged Arsonist Said She Was Trying To Get Boyfriend's Attention

MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) -- Miami Beach Police arrested a woman accused of starting a fire at a Miami Beach building that displaced 60 residents and injured another.

Investigators said Mindrey Delgado, 30, confessed to her role in Friday's fire located at 2814 Collins Avenue.

Investigators interviewed numerous residents which led to several leads and the identification of Delgado which led to her arrest, according to police.

Watch MaryAnn Martinez's report, click here. 

"The residents can be reassured that with this person in custody, there is no longer a danger to the community," said Chief Daniel Oates.

According to Delgado's arrest report she told police she was trying to get her boyfriend's attention because he stayed in one of the apartments from time to time.

A resident of the building, identified as "Mr. Iglesias" in the police report, said he saw a woman through this peep-hole.

The report said saw a Hispanic woman "screaming 'Alexis, Alexis.' He recognized her as his friend Alexis' girlfriend."

"I just hope she realizes that she did something bad and that there's a gentleman with a tube down his neck with third-degree burns," said Yannis Minaya, a resident.

Minaya was one of 60 people who lived in the building where the fire happened.

He was awakened early Friday morning by the sound of a woman screaming and trying to force open a door.

"Because I saw the knob pop out and then fire. Oh my god! I started throwing buckets of water," Minaya said.

He escaped through a window with a teenage son and elderly mother.

He then said he realized his front door was on fire which then spread to other units in the building.

READ: Fire Forces Closure Of Miami Beach Building, Residents Displaced 

Delgado faces charges of second-degree attempted murder, second-degree arson, bodily harm and first-degree arson.

Residents stopped by the building Saturday to gather whatever belongings that survived.  The building is considered unsafe and no one can stay inside.

Many residents are staying at a hotel paid for by the Red Cross, according to Hugo Perez who lived in the building.  However, the arrangement, he said, is only good through Tuesday.

There's no word when the residents would be able to return to the building.

Investigators interviewed numerous residents which led to several leads and the identification of Delgado which led to her arrest, according to police.

"The residents can be reassured that with this person in custody, there is no longer a danger to the community," said Chief Daniel Oates.

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