Fire erupts at Hallandale Beach apartment building

Building consists of 3 apartments, beauty supply store

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A fire sparked Friday at an apartment building that also consists of a beauty salon store in Hallandale Beach, authorities said.

The fire was reported just after noon at the business at 504 Foster Road.

Hallandale Beach Fire Rescue officials said the flames shot through the roof of the building.

Hallandale Beach Fire Rescue Division Chief Lori Williams said residents who live in a back apartment saw smoke coming from the kitchen and tried to extinguish the flames themselves, but it had already spread to the roof. 

Williams said the fire had been burning for about 20 minutes before the fire department was called.

The building consists of four apartments, one of which was converted into Latasha's Beauty Supply Store. 

Latasha Akins told Local 10 News that she smelled smoke, but was told by another resident that the fire was already out.

"They said the fire was under control, and I went back in, I sat down and then I saw the black smoke coming through. So that's when I called," Akins said.  

Akins said she was told that someone in a rear apartment unit had left something on the stove before falling asleep. 

The building has been declared a total loss. 

Authorities said Foster Road was shut down in the area as crews worked to extinguish the flames. 

The American Red Cross is assisting three residents who live in the building. Akins said she does not have insurance for her store. 

The official cause of the fire remains under investigation.

 


About the Authors:

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