Miami Nightclub Fire Called 'Suspicious'

MIAMI (CBS4) - An overnight fire at Rumba's Discoteque in Miami is being called suspicious.

The club, located off NW 7th Street and 45th Avenue went up in flames around 3 a.m.

Fire rescue said someone passing by reported seeing flames and smoke.

"As far as we can see, there is a lot of damage inside, but that's going to be up to fire investigator to assess how much damage there really is," said Miami Fire Rescue's George Betancourt.

When crews arrived, the front door was open, a piece of glass was pushed out and they found a single black glove on the ground.

There was also a notice posted on the front door by the landlord saying the owner must pay almost $17,000 in rent and late fees by today or vacate.

"It's always been a business. We try to have a lot of business but not very clean it was like working in the night. You don't see those people coming out from there," said Karate studio owner Dario Rossi.

Fire rescue said they have not been able to get a hold of the owner.

"Immediate response time, getting here, assessing the situation as fast as they did, they were able to get into the structure and put this fire out quickly. That's just what we do," Betancourt said,

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

"We, also hearing from some of the owners here of other businesses that some graffiti has been seen along walls and glass of this business for the last couple of days," said Miami Fire Rescue Captain Ignatius Carroll.