VIRGINIA GARDENS, Fla. – A 28-year-old man died after he was injured during a training exercise involving Miami-Dade Fire Rescue in Virginia Gardens. Relatives identified him on Sunday as Fabian Camero.
The death investigation was ongoing. Miami-Dade homicide detectives were involved on Saturday when authorities remained at the three-story building where Camero was injured during a training on Friday.
MDFR personnel were in the building shortly before 11 a.m., at Northwest 66th Avenue and 36th Street when 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 Camero to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center where he was later pronounced dead. A Local 10 News source said the training was part of a fellowship program.
Miami-Dade’s Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Chief of Public Safety James Reyes released statements on Sunday, saying they were saddened to learn about the “accident” during training.
“I have asked our Chief of Public Safety to lead a full investigation into the events that took place,” Levine Cava said in the statement, adding that there was also an ongoing comprehensive review of protocols and practices “to ensure we do everything possible to prevent an incident like this in the future.”
“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.”
MDFR Chief Raied “Ray” Jadallah had yet to release a statement on Sunday. The mayor’s office released Reyes’s statement on Sunday afternoon.
“We are working closely with the Miami-Dade Police Department to complete a full investigation to understand the chain of events and what must be addressed to ensure all trainings are as safe as possible,” Reyes said in the statement. “We will work with the Fire Chief to also complete a comprehensive audit of protocols and practices.”
A GoFundMe page set up to assist Camero’s family during their time of need has already surpassed its $35,000 goal.
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Local 10 News Assignment Desk Editors Joyce Grace Ortega and Mercedes Cevallos contributed to this report.