MIAMI – Three adults were displaced from their home Monday morning after a fire erupted inside a duplex in Miami.
The fire was reported at 5:41 a.m. at a duplex in the 3000 block of Southwest 18th Street.
According to City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue officials, firefighters arrived at the scene to find a two-story, side-by-side residential duplex with smoke and flames coming from the front door.
“Immediately, firefighters extended handlines, made entry, and began a quick-fire attack. Within minutes the fire was under control and contained to the unit of origin,” Lt. Pete Sanchez, who is also a spokesman for the department, told Local 10 News in an email.
According to Sanchez, the residents had self-evacuated by the time firefighters arrived, but a dog was found dead on the second floor of the unit due to smoke inhalation.
Sanchez said a firefighter also suffered a steam burn to the face, but he was evaluated at the scene and did not need to be transported to the hospital.
“A total of three adult residents are being displaced,” Sanchez said.
The Miami Fire Investigation Unit will determine the cause of the fire, however one resident told Local 10 News reporter Trent Kelly that they believe the fire was started by an electric scooter that was left charging overnight.
They said they heard a loud pop and ran downstairs, where they saw flames.
According to the resident, their 4-year-old Australian shepherd was following them downstairs, but they believe it was spooked by the flames and ran back upstairs.
Sanchez confirmed the fire was contained to the front living room, but the neighboring unit sustained some smoke damage.
“As you can see, the home has security bars on the windows, which makes it a challenge for firefighters to be able to get inside,” he said. “They had already self-evacuated, so luckily some of the doors were open and we were able to make a safe entry. But, of course, it could have always been worse.”
The American Red Cross is now assisting both families affected by the fire.