VIRGINIA GARDENS, Fla. – Investigators remained in and around a three-story building on Saturday in Virginia Gardens after a fire prompted a man to be airlifted to the hospital on Friday.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel were in the building shortly before 11 a.m., on Friday at Northwest 66 Avenue and 36 Street, just north of Miami International Airport. One shouted urgently to dispatch: “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! We have a downed fireman.
“We are bringing him out down the stairs!”
MDFR used a helicopter to airlift a man injured to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center. Firefighters entered the building through broken windows and used a ladder truck to extinguish the flames. There were temporary street closures.
“Terrible situation in Miami today,” State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis wrote on X Friday. “I’ve been in touch with local officials and fire investigators from my office are en route to the scene to assist with the fire investigation. Please join me in praying for those injured in this unfortunate incident.”
Virginia Beach residents who live near the building said it has been unoccupied, so the massive fire rescue response was a surprise.
MDFR Chief Raied “Ray” Jadallah had yet to release a statement on Saturday afternoon.