Last Saturday, four individuals and a dog were rescued after a fire ravaged an apartment on the third floor of a building located at 460 East 23rd Street in Hialeah. Gustavo Azoy, identified as the son of the elderly couple residing in the affected apartment, shared details of the incident with Telemundo 51.
According to Azoy, his mother, Silvia, managed to escape the apartment, while his father, Andrés, was trapped in the blaze. He was rescued by Hialeah officers who administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Both are currently admitted to Jackson Memorial Hospital.
"My mother is in stable condition, but my father's health is very critical due to the heavy smoke inhalation," Azoy explained. The couple's dog was also saved but experienced difficulty walking and breathing because of the smoke.
Azoy mentioned that they had a portable air conditioner since the central air system was broken. "It seems there was an electrical short," he added, suggesting that the device might have sparked the blaze. However, authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
The apartment was completely destroyed and deemed unsafe by officials. "The important thing is that they are still alive," Azoy concluded. The family now faces the uncertainty of having no place to go and is seeking help to cover the elderly couple’s and their pet's medical expenses.
Neighborhood Testimonies
Residents of the building recounted the terrifying moments as they realized there was a fire. "All we know is that while we were watching Miss Universe, there was a loud explosion. We thought it was outside, but then there was another one," a neighbor recalled.
Another testimony highlighted the quick response of some neighbors who tried to contain the flames before the firefighters arrived. "Thanks to some guys on the third floor who broke into where the hoses are and started spraying water, they managed to prevent the fire from spreading further," recounted another resident.
Due to the high levels of carbon dioxide, the police evacuated the entire building, affecting even the residents of the adjacent building. "I have a 90-year-old mother who was sleeping. I had to wake her up and take her downstairs because the police ordered us to leave," a third neighbor recounted. "We feared those inside might not make it out alive. I had never seen a fire of such magnitude in my life," expressed another emotional resident.
In total, four people were transported to hospitals, including the elderly couple. The identities of the other two hospitalized individuals have not been disclosed.
The Red Cross offered support to residents unable to return home due to the intense odor and damage caused. As investigations continue to determine the fire's origin, the primary concern for the affected families and neighbors is the recovery of the victims and the restoration of their lives after this tragedy.