A man who was injured after a fire broke out during a firefighter training exercise in Virginia Gardens has died, according to authorities, as questions surrounding the incident continue to arise.
Miami-Dade Police verified the 28-year-old victim’s death Saturday night, noting that he was related to a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue firefighter.
Hours earlier, 7News cameras caught MDFR going into Ryder Trauma Center, a day after the victim was transported in critical condition. Some of the firefighters were spotted comforting one another.
On Saturday, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava also spoke out about the big fire.
“This was an event that included some trainees and, unfortunately, as you know, there was a disastrous fire,” she told the audience.
The fire broke out Friday morning after a training scenario went wrong at a structure near the 6500 block of Northwest 36th Street.
MDFR firefighters, Saudi Arabian firemen, and other trainees all participated in the training activity.
According to a 7News source, it was just supposed to be a tiny tar pot fire for demonstration purposes, but when too much fuel was put to the pot, the flames became out of control.
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The informant stated that there was a flash within the structure followed by no visibility.
“Mayday, mayday, mayday. We have a downed firefighter. “We’re bringing him out down the stairs,” remarked a first responder over radio communications.
Backup was requested, and the fire quickly escalated to three alarms. Dozens of rescue trucks rushed to the scene and worked for hours on the building.
7Skyforce filmed smoke rising from the building.
“It was smoke inhalation from the fire that led to, unfortunately, the person having to be taken to the hospital,” said Levine Cava, the investigator.
Cameras from 7News showed the injured guy being taken out of a rescue chopper at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Francisco Camero, the MDFR instructor, was observed alongside the victim.
Two more were also injured.
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On Saturday, personnel and utility trucks could be spotted outside the fire scene. Camero was also observed outside the trauma hospital on Saturday morning.
Hours later, authorities verified that the airlifted victim had died from his injuries. According to a 7News source, he is the kid of an MDFR employee who was brought to the demonstration.
According to the WSVN, no safety precautions were taken during live fire training.
The fire is being investigated by several authorities, including the Florida State Fire Marshal and the Miami-Dade Police Homicide Bureau.