The call to 911 was received through the Miami Police Communications Center at
10:44 p.m. A first alarm assignment consisting of Engine 2, Engine 5, Aerial 5, Rescue 2,
Squad 2 and a District Chief was dispatched at 10:47 p.m. The first unit on the scene,
Engine 2, arrived at 10:49 p.m. and observed smoke from the third floor windows.
Residents were breaking out windows in an attempt to escape the smoky conditions.
Interpreting the smoke as a mattress fire on the third floor, the crew of Engine 2
pulled a 1-3/4" pre-connected line from the engine and proceeded up the SE stairs, past
the second floor, stopping midway between the second and third floors. Heavy heat and
smoke at this level pushed them back down to the second floor landing, where they
observed a glow from the office waiting area. They opened the hose line into the waiting
area and quickly controlled the visible flames.
Meanwhile, Squad 2 had arrived and pulled a second pre-connected 1-3/4 " line
to the second floor office area, backing up Engine 2. They moved through the second
floor, knocking down spot fires and searching for victims.2
Although the fire was quickly controlled, the heavy smoke and heat had filled
the corridors and many of the rooms, trapping residents on the second and third floors.
Exiting the building to replace their air cylinders, the crew of Squad 2 found the
first victim laying face down on the sidewalk, apparently having suffered a cardiac
arrest. Treatment was initiated by the crew of Squad 2; the victim was then transported
by Rescue 2. This casualty was treated and released.
Center staff and residents crowded the area under the windows, attempting to
help fellow residents escape by using step ladders available on the premises. One
resourceful individual mounted a step ladder in the bed of a pickup truck and drove
under windows in the rear parking area to allow residents to reach the ladder.
Pulling a third line from Engine 2, the crew of Aerial 5 proceeded to the third
floor directly above the office waiting area, and checked for extension of fire in the wall
space. No extension of flame was found. They opened a roof panel above the third floor
stair landing for ventilation.
After meeting up with Engine 2 at the east side of the building, the crew of
Engine 5 raised a 30 foot extension ladder and a 50 foot bangor ladder to assist residents
from the third floor windows.
The District Chief arrived at 10:50 p.m. Finding heavy smoke issuing from the
second and third floor windows and multiple victims trapped on the third floor, he called
for a second alarm at 10:55 p.m. He instituted the Incident Command System, and
established search, rear and medical divisions. He also declared a Mass Casualty
Incident, which automatically calls for three additional rescue trucks, two suppression
units and three squads, in addition to notification of the department director, the fire
marshal and the local trauma unit medical staff.
Engine 12, Engine 6, Aerial 1 and Engine 4 responded on the second alarm. The
crews of Engine 12, Engine 4 and Aerial 1 were assigned to search and rescue. The
crew of Engine 6 evacuated third floor residents by means of ground ladders.
Search and rescue efforts on the second and third floors continued. The crew of
Engine 12 crew located two unconscious victims in the hallway outside the bathroom on
the third floor. They were removed and transported to a local hospital, where they were
pronounced dead.
Arriving at 10:49 p.m., Engine 5 laid a 5 " supply line from the hydrant at Miami
Court and 23th Street to Engine 2.
While conducting a door to door search on the third floor, the crew of Aerial 1
located an occupant trapped in one of the sleeping rooms. Using buddy breathing they
moved the occupant to the first floor. He was transported to the hospital and later
released after treatment for smoke inhalation.
As initial search and rescue efforts were completed, smoke ejectors were set up
on the second floor to help clear the heavy smoke from the building.
Next » Triage Efforts
Save to del.icio.us
