MIAMI – A 96-year-old woman was rescued Tuesday morning after authorities said she fell into a hole that formed inside a home in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood.
The duplex is located near the 900 block of Southwest 12th Avenue.
According to Miami Fire Rescue Lt. Pete Sanchez, who is a spokesman for the department, a hole formed in the interior foundation of the home, and the elderly woman fell through the bottom floor.
Photos released by Miami Fire Rescue showed a large hole in the floor with tiles that were cracked or missing, along with cracked walls inside the home.
Sanchez said firefighters assisted the woman out of the hole. She wasn’t seriously injured.
Building inspectors were called to the home, which was cordoned off and evacuated. A total of six people were displaced as a result, authorities said.
Authorities told Local 10 News that the victim is temporarily staying with her landlord, Eduardo Elias, after she was unable to get in touch with her family.
They also said a nearby unit was occupied by a family of five who will be staying with a relative for a few days until their landlord can secure another home for them.
Authorities deemed the building as an unsafe structure.
Elias told Local 10 News on a phone call that the elderly woman is now temporarily staying with him and is doing fine.
Elias also said despite the recent photos of the damage, he claims the fire department’s account of what happened was just “gossip and rumors.” He refused to answer any questions based on the condition of the building.