VIDEO: Firefighters got the upper hand on a massive fire that broke out inside of an automotive warehouse in Medley and caused a partial roof collapse, officials said. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the blaze near the 7500 block of Northwest 82nd Place, just after 1:50 p.m. on Saturday. Hours later, 7News cameras captured flames and thick black smoke billowing from the top of the warehouse. The smoke was reportedly visible from miles away.
“We called a third-alarm fire, which means we needed additional units for support,” said MDFR Chief of Staff Erika Benitez. Investigators said workers were inside the warehouse when the flames ignited. Everybody inside the building was evacuated. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. In total, nearly 40 MDFR units rushed to the scene, and because part of the roof collapsed, they had to fight the flames from the outside, spending hours battling and containing the blaze. Officials said it’s the materials inside the warehouse that made the fire so strong.
“They have tires, so what you’re seeing is very heavy smoke emanating from these things that are burning inside the warehouse,” said Benitez. Video provided by MDFR captured stacks of tires with the flames raging behind. Several MDFR trucks were seen lining Northwest 82nd Place after Medley Police shut down the roadway. They advise drivers to avoid the area and seek alternate routes. Workers from the warehouse declined to speak on camera but told 7News they’re doing OK. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
