MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – It took more than 20 crews to put out a large fire at an apartment complex in Miami Gardens on Tuesday afternoon, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said.
Six units are now condemned — two with fire damage and others with water and smoke damage — after the blaze at the Advenir at Walden Lake. It’s located at 21300 Northwest 9th Place, east of the Florida Turnpike and not far from Hard Rock Stadium.
Flames could be seen shooting through the roof at one corner of the three-story complex. Fire rescue officials said that crews removed the ceiling in order to better target the fire.
Crews also conducted searches inside the apartments to ensure they were clear of any residents. None were believed to be hurt, though one firefighter needed to be transported after suffering an arm injury, authorities said.
“I looked through the window and saw that the apartment was burning,” one witness said. “Flames came in and out. We didn’t know what was going on.”
It’s not yet known what started the fire or caused it to spread so quickly.
MDFR Division Chief Horacio Rodriguez said firefighters were able to recover some Christmas presents that were under a tree in a unit adjacent to the fire.
The Red Cross is assisting 11 adults and 12 children with finding a place to stay.