Miami apartment fire: Suspect in custody after shooting employee and setting building ablaze

Three firefighters were hospitalized for heat exhaustion as they battled the major blaze in Miami on Monday morning.

At least 30 people were rescued from the complex, including elderly residents who were in wheelchairs. Shelters were set up for those affected by the incident.

Miami Fire Rescue Captain Ignatius Carroll said the fire on Monday morning had been “challenging” for crews to combat.

“It’s a very stubborn fire that is spreading throughout the building which obviously makes it very difficult to reach when you’re doing a defensive attack,” he told reporters.

“The challenging part is you can’t see anything but also you start to have compromising of the floors. We understand that probably the third-floor area was collapsing as a result, so safety is our number one priority.”

Miami police officials later said the man found shot in the burning apartment complex was “an isolated incident,” meaning there is no gunman at large.

The man, who Temple Court Management later confirmed to be a bulding employee, was transported in critical condition to Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez later said an individual had been arrested on suspicion of shooting the employee and then setting fire to the building.

There were no other injuries reported.

Residents evacuated from the apartment building have been offered overnight accommodation at a nearby facility if needed.

Workers from the Red Cross workers have been supporting the residents, bringing in food and setting up facilities to address their immediate needs.

Miami Commissioner Manolo Reyes announced that each individual entering the facility would receive a $250 gift card for food and essential toiletries.

The immediate needs of these residents are being addressed as they grapple with the aftermath of the fire, authorities said.

One resident described the moment he fled the massive fire in the apartment building with his three-month old kitten, Rufus.

Joel Enrique told Local 10 News said at one point during the evacuation he heard part of the structure collapse. He described the ordeal as “horrifying.”

“All I could think of trying to do was to get out my mom and my cat just trying to get out,” he told the outlet.

“A bunch of firefighters came in through the apartment and then took us down through the stairs that wasn’t covered in smoke.”

“Firefighters evacuated me, my mom, my stepdad and my stepdad’s mom. During the middle of the fire, I heard a small bang and I’m assuming one of the structures came down, so I got desperate and screamed and said, ‘Hey, we’re still up here. Come on! It was horrifying’.”

Fire crews will stay on the scene downtown Miami following the blaze which took eight hours to control.

All residents were successfully evacuated and some were treated for minor injuries.

A statement from Leuitenant Pete Sanchez, a spokesperson for Miami Fire Rescue, said: “At this time, The Miami Fire Investigation Unit, Miami Police, and The State Fire Marshal’s office shall now proceed with their investigation.

“The incident took eight hours to control, and two units will remain on the scene overnight extinguishing spot fires that may occur. The American Red Cross is assisting displaced residents due to the extent of damage to the building.”