Condo residents return home to collect belongings after being forced out by fire

More than 30 people displaced

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Residents of a condominium building in northeast Miami-Dade spent Thursday morning grabbing what they could from their homes after they were forced out by a fire.

"I'm going to see if I can get some more stuff. I don't know," one resident said.

Residents were seen carrying televisions, suitcases, clothing and anything else that was salvageable after a three-alarm fire Wednesday gutted the complex.

Residents of the Star Lakes Condos were allowed back in Thursday morning for the first time since the building went up in flames.

"What did you lose?" Local 10 News reporter Erica Rakow asked one woman.

"Everything -- everything I got. I need to start all over," Marlene Perez said.

The fire was reported about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday and quickly spread throughout the 24-unit building. 

More than 30 people, including children, were left with nowhere to live.

Displaced residents also included elderly people who are on fixed incomes, including a disabled veteran.

"(He) walks with a walker and is doing the best he can right now because he lost his medicine. (He) has to go to the VA to get more medicine," JD Daily said. 

The county's building inspector, fire marshal and police were back out Thursday morning. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.