'Oh My God, I Freaked Out,' Neighbor Calls 911 After Wynwood Apartment Goes Up In Flames

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A man and woman were rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital after suffering several serious burns in an early morning apartment fire.

It happened at 411 NW 37th Street in Wynwood.

"When units arrived they found three separate apartment buildings with heavy smoke and flames coming from one on the rear units. Firefighters concentrated their efforts on trying to contain the fire to that one unit. It then spread to some of the adjacent units and within about 10 to 15 minutes they were able to bring this fire under control," said Miami Fire Rescue Captain Ignatius Carroll.

As the fire fight was going on, Carroll said something unusual happened.

"While responding to this call, one of our paramedic units came across two people, who they found about a block away, that appeared to have some burn injuries," said Miami Fire Rescue Captain Ignatius Carroll.

"Fire investigators are not only investigating this scene here (the apartment) but will look and see if the two victims we found a block away are related to this incident," said Carroll.

Carolyn Higgs, who was left homeless by the blaze, said she believed the two people who were burned live in the rear apartment where the fire may have started.

"There was so much smoke that I could not see anywhere. I couldn't see the flames through the smoke. It was bad," she said.

She told CBS4's Peter D'Oench, "I don't know what I am going to do right now. I need to find a place to sleep and I am diabetic. I am worried because I need my medication and the police have the apartments blocked off with the yellow tape. I can't get in. I feel real bad, real bad. This is a disaster."

Adding to her stress, Higgs said "I lost my husband last June to prostate cancer. And now I am all alone. I am a widow and I am all by myself. I lived alone in the apartment. I hope I can get help from a family member but without that, I just don't know. This is going to be tough. I am really worried."

"Right now," she said, "I am doing okay but I am just trying to make it. I just hope someone can help me."

Gema Mendoza, who lives next door, was the one to call for help around 6 a.m.

"I heard some screaming and then I saw in the window, I saw the fire, it was only on the floor. When I called 911, I saw that all of the building was burning," she said. "Oh my God, I freaked out."

She said she knew something was wrong after hearing them argue.

"They were fighting, because they fight all the time, and then I just heard screaming, it was more than a fight, that is when I woke up and saw the fire," she said.

Miami Fire Rescue said a total of five adults including Higgs and one child have been displaced. They're now getting help from the Red Cross.

Mendoza said she was scared and hopes the couple will be all right. Carroll said they are being treated and have been listed in serious condition.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this point.

Late Tuesday afternoon, Higgs told CBS4 she was told she should be able to move back into her apartment by Wednesday night when power is restored. She has no idea what she will do about lodging tonight.