HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – A woman died and two others, including a “young teenager,” were severely injured early Wednesday morning in a fire at an apartment building along Hollywood’s beachside, authorities confirmed.
According to Hollywood Fire Rescue officials, the fire was reported around 3 a.m. on the first floor of a two-story apartment building, located at 415 S. Ocean Drive.
“Last night, I heard all this screaming and yelling,” neighbor Sam Palmer said. “It was, ‘help, help, help.’”
First responders said they arrived at the scene and found an injured man outside the building who was asking for help.
Firefighters then began extinguishing the fire while simultaneously bringing out a woman and a teenager from an apartment unit.
“I was worried because there’s a family that lives there and they have a little boy -- I think he’s autistic,” Palmer said. “It’s terrible because they don’t have any of their clothes -- nothing.”
Hollywood police spokeswoman Deanna Bettineschi confirmed that the victims included a grandmother in her 70s, a father in his 40s and the man’s teenage son.
Firefighters confirmed that all three victims were transported to Memorial Regional Hospital.
Hollywood police confirmed the woman later died from her injuries.
She has since been identified by relatives as Patricia Miller.
Police said the man, identified by relatives as Anthony Miller, and the teen, Thomas Miller, were transferred to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Burn Center in Miami due to the severity of their burns.
Noon report:
A woman who identified herself as a rental agent said the family had recently fallen on hard times.
“They used our laundry. I gave them the key so they could use it,” neighbor Lori Jones said. “She was very nice.”
“Our thoughts are with all those affected during this difficult time,” police said in a statement.
Work crews boarded up the charred building as investigators combed through the scene to determine the cause of the fire, which left significant damage on the first floor from flames, smoke and water.
The fire caused extensive damage to the building, which authorities deemed an “unsafe structure” Wednesday evening.
11 p.m. report
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