Two people were injured, and a Fort Lauderdale home was left, in officials' words, "pretty thoroughly destroyed" after a fast-moving house fire Monday morning on River Island Road, authorities said. The blaze started just after 8 a.m. at a residence in the 1400 block of River Island Road. One person was taken to a hospital, while a second was checked at the scene for possible smoke inhalation.
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said crews got multiple 911 calls shortly after 8 a.m., pulled up to heavy smoke and flames, and rescued two people from the home. Firefighters had the blaze under control in about 30 minutes, according to NBC 6 South Florida. Photos from the scene showed smoke pouring from the roof as flames tore through the structure.
Fire crews' account
"Crews could see a large column of smoke from as far as downtown," Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said, and units arrived to find "heavy smoke and flames showing from the structure," according to NBC 6 South Florida. Two people were pulled from the residence; one was taken to a hospital, and the other was evaluated on-site for possible smoke inhalation.
Damage and investigation
The department described the house as "pretty thoroughly destroyed" and urged neighbors to keep their distance while crews finished up at the scene. Officials said investigators are working to determine what sparked the fire, and no further details about the victims' conditions have been released. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue will handle any follow-up and official reporting.
What the data show
National data highlight how quickly a home fire can escalate: the National Fire Protection Association's National Fire Protection Association report on Home Structure Fires finds cooking equipment is the leading cause of residential blazes. Fire safety experts stress working smoke alarms, practiced escape plans and extra care with stoves or portable heaters to reduce the risk of a fire racing out of control.
Anyone with information about the River Island Road fire is asked to contact Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue or local police. City officials said they will release updates as investigators learn more. This story will be updated as new details become available.
