The flames destroyed one apartment and damaged several others, forcing residents out of their home.
News Center 7 was at the scene a few minutes before the property owner asked our news crew to leave. He said he did not want any recording, and the photojournalist left.
However, News Center 7 did get some help from iWitness7 Reporter Dave Wick. He said he keeps an ear to the scanners for anything that might happen close to him.
Wick said, “The initial dispatch said there were flames through the roof and they were evacuating the building.”
Firefighters said they evacuated residents from about a dozen apartment units. Some of those units suffered heavy smoke damage, while the main apartment was destroyed.
Wick said, “I went to the top of the stairs where I live and it was right behind me. You saw black smoke rolling and it was a free burn.”
Fire crews said one resident suffered a minor burn to his hand.
Officials said mattress fires are fairly common, but they said they are very flammable. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, an estimated 21,000 mattresses catch fire each year, causing 2,200 injuries and nearly 400 deaths.
Fire experts said it is important to never smoke in bed and don’t let children play with anything flammable. They also said it is important to not fall asleep with a candle burning.
MIAMI TWP: Residents Evacuated In Apartment Fire