Fire Breaks Out Inside Little Havana Apartment Building

The City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue responded to an apartment fire at approximately 4:20 p.m. at Beacom Boulevard and 7th Street.

When fire crews arrived, they found heavy smoke billowing from the second floor of an apartment building. A ladder truck happened to be driving by when the fire started and that's when they called for backup.

The fire was upgraded to a Code 1 for additional support while primary searches were conducted throughout all units inside of the building to make sure all victims were evacuated.

Jessica Jimenez said she was visiting her aunt at the apartment complex with her three children and said she ran through the smoke to rescue one of her kids.

According to the City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue, firefighters along with Miami Police rescued several animals from units that were unharmed, and within 5 minutes the flames were under control and no injuries were reported. Unfortunately, one cat did not survive.

Significant damage occurred on the second floor and the American Red Cross was contacted to assist six residents who are now displaced, including a father and his children.

The father was getting his daughters something to eat and when he came back he smelled the smoke and pulled the fire alarm so the other residents would know to get out. He said that he believes the air conditioning unit was the source of this fire, but this has not been confirmed.

The Salvation Army is currently helping those in need rebuild their lives. 

The Miami Fire Investigation Unit is currently investigating the origin and cause of the fire.