Photo: thianchai sitthikongsak / Moment / Getty Images
Miami, FL - A significant fire erupted early Friday morning at a deserted lumber warehouse in Miami's Little River area, resulting in one firefighter being hospitalized.
At approximately 6:06 a.m. on May 30th, Miami Fire Rescue units were dispatched to the former Little River Building & Home Supply facility located at 7737 Northeast Second Avenue.
Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy smoke and flames engulfing the structure, which had been vacant for two years after serving the community for over four decades.
Firefighters initially entered the building to combat the blaze and confirmed that no individuals were inside.
However, about ten minutes into the operation, concerns about the building's structural integrity prompted an evacuation of all personnel due to the risk of collapse.
Subsequently, crews adopted a defensive strategy, battling the fire from the outside using hose lines and aerial devices.
The fire burned intensely for over two hours, necessitating additional units to assist in containment efforts.
One firefighter suffered from heat exhaustion and a back injury during the operation and was transported to a local hospital, where he is reported to be in stable condition.
The warehouse had been sold two years prior and remained vacant since.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Miami Fire Investigation Unit.
No fatalities or civilian injuries have been reported.
Authorities have advised residents in the vicinity to keep windows and doors closed to prevent smoke inhalation and to avoid the area while cleanup and investigation efforts continue.