Man dead in apartment fire in Miami

Firefighters say victim was trapped inside burning building

MIAMI – A man is dead after a fire broke out at an apartment building in Miami.

The fire was reported shortly before 4:30 p.m. Friday in the area of Northwest 7th Avenue and First Street.

Sky 10 was above the scene as huge plumes of smoke were coming out of the top floor of the two-story building.

A woman who lives in the home told Local 10 News reporter Liane Morejon that she rushed to get everyone out once she heard the alarm go off.

"I heard the alarm, and I was trying to go to the back rooms to make sure everyone was accounted for, because I'm responsible for some people there because I'm the manager," the woman said. "So I had counted everybody. Everybody was already out, getting their property out. The only one who couldn't get nothing out was me, because when I came in the smoke threw me back, and the when I was going in the fire started, so I know I lost my room."

Miami Fire Rescue spokesman Ignatius Carroll told Local 10 News that firefighters were forced to pull out of the building because the roof was at risk of collapsing.

Morejon said it appeared as if the home was converted into an apartment building that had about 12 rooms.

All residents were evacuated from the building.

The Miami Police Department is assisting fire rescue officials in the case.

Red Cross volunteers coordinated emergency aid to meet the needs of those impacted by the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.