By Adam H. Beasley and Walter Michot
The Miami Herald
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Firefighters averted what could have been a tragedy Monday morning, rescuing as many as 14 people — including six children — from a raging predawn house fire in Miami Gardens.
A 5-month-old infant and a 5-year-old child were rushed to the hospital with smoke inhalation; the house was destroyed and at least two cars were gutted. But there were no fatalities.
"If there is a fire that puts together all of our abilities, all of our training, this is it," said Lt. Eddy Ballester of the Miami-Dade Fire Department.
"It's a miracle no one died today."
The blaze was reported at 5 a.m in the 17900 block of Northwest 42nd Court in Miami Gardens. The home was being rented by Vivian Moore, a contractor who distributes newspapers and does cleaning work for Miami Herald distribution centers. She was finishing her overnight shift — cleaning one of the centers — when she was startled by a phone call from a neighbor telling her there was smoke coming out of her house, according to her manager Jose Mendoza. Among the 13 family members living with Moore in the house were her husband, children and two grandchildren.
When firefighters responded, the smoke was so thick they could not initially see which house was on fire.
The house, divided into seven bedrooms, had bars on all of its windows, making it more difficult for the occupants to get out and firefighters to get in.
The fire started in the north end of the dwelling, engulfing the cars parked next to it. The children were in a bedroom at the other end of the house.
Crews had to simultaneously fight the fire and search for the occupants.
Mary Moore, a neighbor, said she called 911 after her husband, Donald, woke up and saw the smoke and flames. She said the fire started small then got huge in a hurry.
Six trucks and 30 Miami-Dade firefighters responded.
There was concern that the fire could spread to neighboring homes, which are tucked in close together.
Firefighters had not yet determined what sparked the blaze.
