Three People, Dog Rescued From Burning Homes

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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - Three people were injured after a fire spread to two homes in Ft. Lauderdale.

Firefighters were called to the homes on Tortugas Lane at Riverland Road around 4 a.m.

The fire started in a two-story home. The heat of the flames caused the second story to collapse. Firefighters said belongings packed inside helped fuel the fire.

"When entering the second story of the first home there was a partial floor collapse which endangered the crews. the crews managed to back out of that room and continued fighting the fire," said Fire Chief Timothy Heiser.

The fire was able to spread through a window to a house next door that was unoccupied because it was undergoing renovations.

Neighbors said they heard loud bangs before the flames erupted.

"I heard multiple explosions, saw kind of a blow out, so I went and looked out and it looked like they were having a bonfire in the front yard," said neighbor JP McGinnis.

"It was kind of scary," said neighbor Karol Moldenhauer. "I looked out my front window and that's when I saw all the fire trucks out there. I said 'oh my gosh, that's Jeff's house'."

Retired dentist Jeffrey Cohen and his son Daniel Cohen along with family friend Daniel Luengo live in the home where the fire started. They were taken to the hospital. Two of the men suffered severe smoke inhalation.

Suzette Brown who works as a nurse for the family says she visited the father and son Daniel and Jeffrey Cohen at the hospital and expects they will both recover.

"The son inhaled too much smoke but the dad is fine," said Brown.

Luengo is credited with saving everyone.

"I quickly opened the door and started screaming because I knew grandpa was in the bed and his son who takes care of him was sleeping too... We were able to get outside. I opened the door. The smoke was so intense," said Luengo.

Firefighters also saved a dog that lived in the home. He's now staying at a neighbor's home.

The house is nearly a total loss but the Fire Marshall said thanks to Daniel Luengo's cool head and bravery, no lives were lost.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.