A MASSIVE fire has broken out at a Miami apartment building after a shooting, with one man shot and multiple patients rushed to the hospital.
The four-story apartment building in Miami, Florida, burst into flames on Monday morning with billowing smoke coming from the top floors.
Firefighters rushed to the scene after a call was made around 8:15 am claiming there was an explosion, according to ABC affiliate WPLG.
The fire erupted on the third floor of the building, fire officials said.
"This is a three-alarm fire. We haven’t had one in 25 years, and so this is something that is obviously a large event for us and they’re doing a heroic job in dealing with it, including rescuing residents throughout this incident," City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said during a press conference.
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Suarez said more than 40 units responded to the fiery scene.
When police arrived at the fire, they also found a man who had been shot in the abdomen on the third floor, according to the outlet.
It was an employee of The Temple Court Apartments, according to management.
"We are still determining the cause of these events, and we are checking for other injuries. Police are investigating, and we will help in whatever ways we can," Temple Court Management said in a statement, reported by NBC affiliate WTVJ.
"We are grieved by all that has happened today, and our thoughts and prayers are with our team member and his family and residents of the Temple Court community."
He was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition, according to WPLG.
Police are uncertain if his injuries were self-inflicted, but announced that a suspect has been arrested and brought into custody.
Miami police have since said that the fire has been extinguished and all residents have been accounted for.
RESCUE EFFORTS
Many of the apartment residents are elderly and immobile and had to be rescued from their balconies, fire officials said.
The Temple Court Apartments has over 30 units both one-bedrooms and studios.
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"The fire started moving, the first floor, the second floor, all the way up to the fourth floor," said a man who lives in Temple Court, according to CBS News.
"We had firefighters come up for us so we could get down the stairs. We couldn't get down the ladder because we had someone in a wheelchair."
We haven’t had one in 25 years, and so this is something that is obviously a large event for us and they’re doing a heroic job in dealing with it.
Francis Suarez
Over 40 residents were evacuated, according to police.
Three firefighters were also transported to a hospital due to heat exhaustion, but are both in stable condition, according to a police.
Firefighters are not inside the building and are only fighting the fire from the outside.
Crews worked for multiple hours to extinguish the fire.
"Right now we are just trying to get better control so it doesn't spread to any of the other buildings," said Miami Fire Rescue Captain Ignatius Carroll, according to CBS News.
"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. What's happening is that the fire is spreading into areas that are not being addressed by any water or fire hoses."
At this time, police are uncertain if the shooting and fire are connected.
Police have affirmed there is no danger to the public and it was an isolated shooting.
Residents have been moved to Jose Marti Park where they will be given food and connect with their families.
Many of the evacuated residents have been housed by their families, but others are in need of temporary housing.
The Miami Police Department told The U.S. Sun the American Red Cross is helping alongside them to assist residents.
