What to Know
- A homeless man helped rescue residents inside a Miami apartment building during an early morning fire.
An early morning fire inside a Miami apartment building could have been tragic if not for the quick thinking of a homeless man who helped evacuate those living inside.
The fire broke out shortly before 5 AM at the complex located near NE 79th Street and 4th Court. The blaze started inside a unit on the 3rd floor which had been vacant for several days.
A homeless man, who has been staying inside another unit with his wife, saw the fire and ran to other units inside the building, knocking on doors and waking up residents to get them out. In all, three males and a family of four were inside and were able to escape.
Several residents were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene, but none were transported to the hospital. Miami Fire Rescue is calling the incident a suspicious fire since the unit was uninhabited at the time and they are investigating.
Those who are displaced by the fire will likely be offered hotel rooms if they aren't able to find a place to stay. Officials for Miami's Homeless Assistance Program says the man who saved others is a former veteran who denied assistance.
