Woman dies following condominium fire in Sunny Isles Beach

Fire believed to have started in kitchen of 1 unit

SUNNY ISLES BEACH, Fla. – A woman in her 80s has died following a fire that broke out Thursday night at a high-rise condominium in Sunny Isles Beach, authorities said Friday. 

Building inspectors and restoration companies checked out the damage earlier in the day at the Winston Towers following the intense fire Thursday night.

Inspectors said several condominium units were left uninhabitable. 

Authorities said the 17th floor was impacted, and now, some residents don't have a place to stay.

Sky 10 was above the scene Thursday night as flames shot out from the high-rise. Neighbors said they were panicked and in fear for their lives. 

"It was so dark and so smoky right outside of my apartment," Dora Volfson said. 

Volfson lives right next door to the unit where the fire started. She said firefighters had to whisk her out of harm's way.

"The firemen took me and rushed me to the stairs, and I don't know what happened to my relatives," she said. 

Volfson later found out that her relatives were rushed to a Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, along with an elderly couple who lived in the unit where the fire sparked.

Authorities said the couple was taken to the hospital in critical condition. 

"She didn't look too good. They put her into the ambulance, and I saw them stop performing CPR on her," a witness said.  

Authorities did not immediately release the identity of the woman who died. 

Eight others were injured during the fire, five of whom were treated at the scene.

Fire inspectors said the fire might have started in the kitchen.

Building management declined to comment to Local 10 News about the fire.


About the Author:

Sanela Sabovic joined Local 10 News in September 2012 as an assignment editor and associate producer. In August 2015, she became a full-time reporter and fill-in traffic reporter. Sanela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a concentration in radio, television and film from DePaul University.