Massive fire erupts at Miami apartments as multiple residents are rushed to hospitals and cops find man SHOT inside building

A Miami apartment complex was forced to evacuate after a massive fire broke out Monday morning, with first responders finding a man shot.

The fire started around 8:15 a.m. at the Temple Court Apartments. When crews arrived, they found a man on the third floor who had been shot in the abdomen.

People living in the building said they heard explosions as they ran to safety. Officials said they believe the shooting is not related to the fire.

The victim was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition.

A Miami apartment building has been forced to evacuate after a massive fire broke out Monday morning, with first responders finding a man shot

The fire started around 8:15 a.m. at the Temple Court Apartments, according to Miami Fire Information Officer Iggy Carroll

Miami Fire Rescue said upon arrival they saw heavy smoke and flames coming from a window on the third floor of the building. The four-story building has more than 30 units and is located near downtown Miami.

All firefighters have been evacuated from the building and are trying to extinguish the fire from the outside, a more “defensive” approach because the fire is too dangerous to extinguish from the inside, said Miami Fire Rescue Lt. Pete Sanchez.

At least thirty people have been rescued from the fire, most of them elderly.

Residents are being rescued from their balconies, while others are being evacuated on the ground.

“Right now we’re just trying to get better control so it doesn’t spread to any of the other buildings,” Miami Fire Rescue Captain Ignatius Carroll said.

Pictured: A City of Miami Fire Rescue firefighter walks away from the scene of a fire at the Temple Court Apartments on Monday

All firefighters have been removed from the building and are attempting to extinguish the fire from the outside, a more ‘defensive’ approach as the fire is too dangerous to extinguish from the inside

‘It is a very persistent fire that spreads throughout the building, which of course makes it very difficult to get to if you are carrying out a defensive attack.

“What happens is the fire spreads into areas that cannot be addressed by water or fire hoses.”

He said the building, which has a lot of wood infrastructure, has a common attic that could allow the fire to spread. More than thirty crew members were called to help fight the fire.

Carroll said the sides of the building are difficult to maneuver, so it was difficult to get their trucks in the best position to extinguish the fire.

A cooling station was set up nearby to support the fire brigade. Two firefighters were taken to hospital due to heat exhaustion but are in stable condition.

In the photo: Billowing smoke from the apartment building fire

The inferno, which started on the third floor, sent several residents to the hospital

Miami police have issued a safety advisory asking people to “refrain from entering or staying near Lumus Park to avoid possible damage caused by a nearby apartment fire.”

This is the city’s first three-alarm fire in 25 years, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said at a news conference.

Residents have been moved to Jose Marti Park, where they are receiving food and other necessities.