MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — A longtime Miami Gardens resident watched a fire tore through his home Friday evening.

Edward Brown Jr., known in the community as “Mr. Brown,” embraced friends and family as he watched the aftermath of the flames that destroyed the house he’s lived in for more than 50 years.

“I don’t have anything right now,” Brown said.

Video from Sky 10 showed heavy smoke pouring out of the home as fire ripped through the property.

Brown, a retired teacher, said the fire started shortly after he had been cooking.

“Well, I thought I had turned the burner off, but when I went to the door, there was too much smoke,” he said.

He explained that he had just finished frying fish and was outside talking with his son when they realized something was wrong.

“I wasn’t really scared. Thank God I wasn’t scared,” he said.

Already outside, Brown and others tried to use a garden hose to control the flames as firefighters rushed into the neighborhood. The chaotic scene temporarily shut down the street.

Neighbors gathered nearby, many concerned as crews worked to put out the fire.

“Everybody was concerned, and I want to apologize to them,” Brown said. “I didn’t mean to disturb the neighborhood like this.”

Mr. Brown will stay with friends and family while he decides to do with his home.

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