3 injured in Fort Lauderdale house fires

House fire spreads to neighboring home, fire rescue officials say

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Three men were injured after two homes caught fire in Fort Lauderdale early Wednesday morning.

Fort Lauderdale firefighters said two of the three men are in critical condition, while the third is in serious condition.

The fire began about 3:30 a.m. at a two-story home on Tortuga Lane near Riverland Road. Flames spread to an adjacent home, which was vacant.

Both homes were on fire when firefighters arrived.

"I live right next door and I heard a muffled explosion," neighbor JP McGinnis said. "I didn't really know what was going on. Then I looked out the window and I kind of saw an orange glow and I knew it was a fire. It looked like they were having a bonfire in the front yard."

Three men and a dog were rescued from the home where the fire began. Firefighters said the pit bull mix named Chico was OK.

The victims were identified as Dr. Daniel Cohen, a retired dentist who recently turned 90, his son Jeffrey Cohen and their roommate Daniel Luengo.

Luengo has been released from the hospital. The father and son are expected to stay in the hospital overnight for observation, but are expected to make a full recovery.

No firefighters were injured.

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