This week, a Cuban family experienced intense fear and anxiety when a fire broke out in an unoccupied neighboring house, partially damaging their own residence just four days after they had purchased it. The incident occurred in the 2000 block area of Northeast 137th Street in North Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County, close to a mobile home park.
Neglected Property Ignites Danger
According to the affected family and local residents, the abandoned property where the fire originated had been vacant for an extended period, leading to unauthorized occupation by unknown individuals. "The house next to mine caught fire and it affected part of my own home. We don’t know how the fire started. It was an abandoned house, but people who didn’t live there were entering and caused the fire," explained Leandro Peraza, a member of the affected family, in a statement to Telemundo 51.
The blaze erupted shortly after 2 a.m. on April 2, while the family was asleep. The emergency unfolded so swiftly that their immediate response was futile against the overwhelming flames.
A Terrifying Night
Leandro’s mother, Mayra Viso, recounted the onset of the disaster with words that captured the panic of the moment: "In seconds, it was like hell broke loose." Viso was the first to recognize the severity of the situation: "A young woman called me and asked if I needed help, so I requested that they call 911. My son was already up and they contacted the fire department," she shared.
"I heard my mom screaming and rushed out. That’s when I saw the flames starting. I grabbed a hose from the yard and tried to put out the fire. But it was no use. You know how fire consumes everything," Leandro described.
Material Losses and a Plea for Action
Fortunately, there were no casualties, but the newly purchased home suffered significant material damage. Since then, the family has been working to repair the harm done to their house. Mayra Viso urged authorities to address the issue of illegal occupancy in vacant homes. "It’s crucial for authorities to listen to residents when they report that people are illegally living in a property that isn’t theirs, especially if it’s uninhabitable," she insisted.
This incident is particularly painful for the Cuban family, who had just achieved their dream of homeownership. "I bought my house just four days ago; but the good thing is that it didn’t turn into something worse. We are alive," concluded Viso, with a mix of resignation and hope.
Key Information About the Miami House Fire Incident
What caused the house fire in Miami?
The fire started in a neighboring abandoned house that had been illegally occupied by unknown individuals. The exact cause of the fire remains undetermined.
Were there any injuries from the Miami house fire?
Thankfully, there were no injuries reported from the incident. The family managed to escape without harm.
What action is being requested by the affected family?
The family is urging local authorities to pay closer attention to illegal occupations of vacant properties to prevent similar incidents in the future.