A man was hospitalized in critical condition and two police officers and a firefighter were also transported to the hospital after a house fire in Little Havana early Thursday.
Firefighters responded to the fire at the house in the 3600 block of Northwest 16th Street just before 12:30 a.m., Miami Fire Rescue officials said.
Once they arrived, the residents informed the crew that a family member was still inside the house.
Firefighters entered the home in search of the victim, a 65-year-old man, who was found in the back of the home on the floor.
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The victim, identified by his family as Rogel Escalona, was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital. He had over 30% of his body with 1st and 2nd degree burns and was in critical condition, authorities said.
"When we arrived on the scene, we found smoke coming from this home and a family frantically advising us that they had a loved one still inside of the home," Miami Fire Rescue's Pete Sanchez said. "Immediately our firefighters made entry and went to the back of the house where this gentleman was on the floor with 30 percent burns all over his body.”
Brother Pedro Escalona said Rogel was sleeping when the fire broke out. He believes a lamp may have sparked the fire.
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"With your brother burned all over, how could you feel?" Pedro Escalona said in Spanish.
At least three first responders were also hospitalized after responding to the fire, officials said.
"Two Miami Police officers heroically entered the structure to render aid to the family and suffered smoke inhalation," Miami Fire Rescue said in a statement. "A Miami Firefighter was also transported to Jackson Hospital for an evaluation."
The fire was extinguished within minutes, according to authorities. Photos released by fire rescue officials showed the inside of the damaged home, with at least one room practically destroyed.
A family of four has been displaced and The American Red Cross was contacted to assist them.
The cause of the fire is not clear yet and the investigation is ongoing.
