Firefighters were investigating a possible arson after a fire destroyed several businesses on Monday in Miami-Dade County’s West Little River area.
The flames traveled through a furniture store, a restaurant, and a smoke shop at the corner of Northwest 17 Avenue and 93 Terrace.
The fire also destroyed Angelica “Angie” Manzanarez’s ice cream truck, which she had owned since 2007. She had just invested about $20,000 in it.
“This is what gives me the money to pay the rent to pay everything, to eat,” she said.
Witnesses said the raging blaze started with an explosion and spread quickly to destroy what neighbors described as thriving businesses.
Firefighters also rescued Minnie, Manzanarez’s 2-year-old Chihuahua, from her burning home, where she was grappling with more loss.
“This is the best friend that I have. I feel happy that she’s alive because if she would’ve been dead, I would never have forgiven myself,” Manzanarez said.
Many witnesses feared the flames were going to spread to other nearby homes, but firefighters prevented that.
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