Dade and Broward County Injury News

Miami Assisted Living Facility Fire Forces Residents Outside


Posted on Nov 20, 2011

Just before dawn on November 9, 2011, 50 elderly residents of a West Miami assisted living facility were forced to evacuate from their apartments due to a fire.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue received a call reporting the fire at the Pointe North Gables living facility at 5890 SW Eighth St, at 3:40 a.m.

Chief Patrick Kelly Rowan of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said, “We called in a second alarm to help evacuate at least 50 elderly residents who needed assistance in evacuating.”

When firefighters arrived on the scene, they saw heavy smoke coming from the northwest corner of the three-story building. 

Three residents were treated and taken to a nearby hospital.  One of the men evacuated was unconscious where the blaze started.

Lt. Eddy Ballester, a spokesman for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said, “The sprinklers activated, not only keeping the fire from spreading, but alerting the fire department in a timely manner.  The sprinklers saved people’s lives and allowed us to save others by keeping the fire contained.”

Residents were forced to stay outside through the morning even though the fire was contained and extinguished.  Two Miami-Dade County buses were brought out for the residents to sit in while they waited to go back inside. 

The West Miami Police and Miami-Dade fire investigators are looking into the cause of the fire.

The Law Office of David Benenfeld would like to thank the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue for their quick response in assisting these seniors, and also a speedy recovery to the seniors who were hospitalized.

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