Miami

Elderly Couple Displaced After Northwest Miami-Dade Home Engulfed in Flames

A 90-year-old woman and her 89-year-old husband have been displaced after the couple's home became engulfed in flames early Tuesday morning.

Flames could be seen shooting out of the home at 773 NW 75th Street in Miami-Dade where Veronica and Elias Beckford lived for 51 years.

"I was sleeping and for some reason I woke up and saw some all over the house," Veronica Beckford said.

She said almost everything inside the home was lost to flames, smoke or water damage.

Neighbor Reggie Dorival stepped in to aid the elderly couple after Veronica Beckford ran out of the home, screaming for help.

"Basically, I heard the lady screaming fire, fire!" Dorival said. "My brother and I, we came running out and helped out."

Dorival said he and his brother pulled out Elias Beckford, who has a prosthetic leg and can't walk, out of the house before the flames could reach him.

"I'm just glad I could have helped him out," Dorival said. "I was just doing what neighbors do and I would gave done it if another neighbor needed the same help."

Though Elias Beckford can barely speak due to his age, he acknowledged his hero by making the sign of the cross, thanking Dorival for saving his life.

The Red Cross responded to the scene and will assist the couple in finding temporary housing.

Authorities have not yet released the cause of the fire.

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