Two Miami firefighters were hospitalized yesterday after working to suppress a fire at an unoccupied building undergoing renovations. According to NBC Miami, one firefighter fell through the second floor, landing on the first floor. He was transported to the hospital in stable condition. Another firefighter suffered second-degree burns to the ear and forearm and required urgent medical attention.
The incident occurred around 6:48 p.m. at a three-story building located at 1348 Northwest 1st Avenue. Firefighters were working to extinguish heavy smoke and flames when the collapse happened. Both injured firefighters were released from the hospital last night, as reported by Miami Fire Rescue today. WSVN reported that despite the property being vacant, thorough checks were made to ensure no one was inside.
City of Miami Fire Rescue Lt. Pete Sanchez, in a statement to WSVN, said, “When our units arrived, we found heavy smoke and flames coming from all three floors. So immediately they began their fire attack and searches.”
The Miami Building Department is assessing the building’s structural integrity, while the cause of the fire remains unknown. Lt. Sanchez said, “It’s too early to determine how it started. What the cause was, but a fire marshal and investigators are on the scene to determine what the cause was,” in a statement obtained by WSVN.
