Apartment Residents Forced Out By Flames In Miami
MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Seven people are without a home Tuesday after flames broke out at a Miami apartment overnight.
The building is near N.W. 1st Court and 17th Street.
A man says he returned home to see the flames shooting out of his bedroom.
Everyone made it out safely and the fire is out.
The Red Cross is helping out the displaced residents.
The property manager says they're working on putting everything back in order and getting the residents a place to stay.
"The Red Cross was here. Thank God. They placed them for a couple of days. It helps them and it also helps us to get ourselves acclimated and to get what we have to do under control. So, we're okay," said Tamekia Daniels, Apple Management.
City of Miami Fire Rescue got the call around 1 a.m.
The fire started in a bottom unit before spreading.
A man said he opened the door to find the smoke and flames coming from his apartment.
"I went to go in the kitchen part. All I see is smoke. And then I went to the neighbor, to let her know. When I came back flames was pouring out of the bedroom," said resident Larry Dowdell.
Of the 16 units, Fire Rescue says four are a total loss. Three on the bottom and one on the top.
Firefighters and officers stayed on the scene throughout the early morning hours, even after the flames were extinguished.
"Smoke a lot of blackness. Barely can breathe. It was unbelievable at this time of morning. But I'm glad everyone is okay," said resident Alexandria Brown.
Investigators were still investigating the cause of the blaze.
The man in the apartment where it apparently started said the only thing he could think of maybe an air conditioning unit in his room.
