A person suspected of shooting a worker at a Miami apartment building and starting a fire on purpose is now in custody, authorities said.
The fire started around 8:15 a.m. ET on Monday at Temple Court Apartments, according to Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. Over 125 firefighters worked for about eight hours to put out the fire, he said during a press briefing Monday evening when announcing the suspect’s arrest.
Firefighters rescued more than 40 people, including some from their balconies. The mayor praised their actions as “heroic” and mentioned they performed seven ladder rescues.
After everyone was evacuated, there was an explosion, Suarez said. This fire was the first of its kind in the city in 25 years.
First responders found a man who had been shot inside the building. He was taken to a local hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound to his torso.
The man shot is an employee of the complex, according to the property’s manager, Atlantic Housing Foundation, which expressed shock and sadness over the fire and shooting. Authorities believe the shooting was an isolated incident and are continuing their investigation.
All residents of the building, most of whom are elderly, have been accounted for, Suarez said.
Authorities did not provide information about the suspect.
Firefighters found the fire on the third floor of the building, which is a wood-frame structure. This explains why the fire spread so quickly and intensely, said Miami Fire-Rescue spokesperson Lt. Pete Sanchez.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
Three firefighters were taken to a local hospital for evaluation and are in stable condition. Two of them have already been released. A resident was also taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation.
The management company is renting a hotel for the next two weeks for the 43 residents who lost their homes in the fire, according to the mayor.