A 12-year-old girl trapped on the third floor of a burning townhouse on Stock Island was pulled to safety Monday morning after Monroe County and City of Key West firefighters raced to the Sixth Avenue building, where two families were inside when the flames broke out, according to the Miami Herald. She suffered smoke inhalation and some injuries but was reported in stable condition afterward.
First responders were called to the scene around 9 a.m., according to the Miami Herald, after the townhouse caught fire Monday morning. Monroe County Sheriff's Office deputies also responded to the building alongside fire crews, the paper reported. Once on scene, first responders learned that the girl was trapped on the third floor of the Sixth Avenue townhouse units.
Firefighters Free the Trapped Girl
Firefighters freed the girl from the third floor, according to the Herald's report, which cited Monroe County Fire Rescue's account of the rescue. The girl suffered smoke inhalation and some injuries from the fire, per the firefighter report relayed to the outlet.
Firefighters first took the girl to Lower Keys Medical Center in Key West, followed by paramedics transporting her to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital for further treatment; Monroe Fire Rescue spokeswoman Kristen Livengood said she was in stable condition, as noted by the Miami Herald.
Fire Marshal Investigating Cause
The Florida fire marshal is now investigating what sparked the fire in the Sixth Avenue townhouse units, though the cause has not been determined. Monroe County Fire Rescue Chief Rene Luis “RL” Colina, who was sworn into the role according to the Key West Chamber, said he was proud of the firefighters' swift, professional response. Colina added that coordination and immediate actions made a difference during a difficult situation.
