Dozens Evacuated In Sunny Isles High-Rise Fire

SUNNY ISLES, FL — Dozens of residents were evacuated from a Sunny Isles high-rise on Tuesday when fire broke out in a twelfth floor apartment. The incident occurred around 2:45 p.m. in the Winston Towers complex. The waterfront building is located at 174 Street just off Collins Avenue.

Lt. Felipe Lay of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue told Patch that the agency received reports of smoke in a twelfth floor hallway.

"Over 20 MDFR units were initially dispatched to the location due to the size of the structure involved," Lay explained. "Initial units responded quickly to the 12th floor where they located the affected apartment which had a fully involved kitchen on fire."

In December, nine people in the same complex had to be treated for smoke inhalation and one later died after a 17th-floor apartment burst into flames. Four people were initially taken to the hospital, including two in critical condition.

Lay said that firefighters were able to quickly extinguish Tuesday's fire before it spread to adjoining apartments.

"The building was evacuated and fortunately no one was injured or had to be transported to the hospital," Lay added.

Lt. Matt Mandell of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said that the fire appeared to have been caused by something left unattended on the stove.

First responders noted that it is important to remember to turn off cooking and heating appliances before leaving home.

Photo and video courtesy Miami-Dade Fire Rescue