Latest news with #Miami-DadeFireRescue
Miami Herald
09-05-2025
- Climate
- Miami Herald
Planning a trip to the Keys? Here's what you should know as fire rages on
As firefighters continue battling a brush fire in southern Miami-Dade County, travelers and commuters going in or out of the Florida Keys should expect intermittent delays, shifting conditions and lingering smoke that could affect visibility and safety for at least the next few days. The fire, dubbed the '167 West Fire' has scorched 350 acres and is currently at 25% containment, according to the Florida Forest Service. As of the latest update, Card Sound Road has reopened in both directions, though northbound traffic remains blocked on an 18-mile stretch of U.S. 1. Southbound lanes on the stretch have reopened, providing limited access for travelers heading toward the Keys. Still, officials warn that the situation remains fluid. 'Residents should be monitoring road closures,' Michelle Danielson, spokesperson for the Florida Forest Service said. Danielson recommended that drivers check Florida traffic cameras for possible road closures. She said that intermittent road closures could happen due to firefighting activity or sudden changes in fire behavior. As for when the blaze might be brought fully under control, Danielson said there's no firm timeline yet. 'They [firefighters] are working as aggressively and safely as possible,' Danielson said. There are 20 firefighters on the ground using heavy equipment, along with two helicopters that continue to conduct water drops, Danielson added. READ MORE: Brush fire closes both roads in and out of Florida Keys, officials say. Expect delays Residents and drivers in the area are also being urged to take extra precautions. Smoke may reduce visibility on roadways, and fire crews are working nearby. Those who don't need to be in the area are encouraged to stay off the roads. In mid-March, a 26,000-acre brush fire prompted the Florida Forest Service, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Monroe County Fire Rescue to spend over a week fighting the blaze, which led to full road closures in the Florida Keys and filled the air with smoke. Will rain help? Maybe According to National Weather Service meteorologist Chuck Caracozza, dry conditions are likely to continue through the first part of Saturday, with winds coming from the south-southeast. This wind pattern will direct smoke away from densely populated metro areas and instead push it northwest toward the Everglades Caracozza explained that while Saturday and most of Sunday will remain dry near the fire zone, increasing chances of rain and storms could arrive by Sunday afternoon and into next week — potentially aiding firefighting efforts. The benefit, however, will depend heavily on where the rain actually falls, said Caracozza.
CBS News
07-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Video shows massive fire destroy Miami Gardens home
A massive fire early Wednesday morning destroyed a Miami Gardens home near Hard Rock Stadium. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said just after 3:30 a.m. they received word of the fire at 1890 NW 185 Terrace. People who live in the neighborhood said they woke to the sounds of explosions. "It was a booming sound. Boom, like it was an explosion and the Earth kind of shook. So I'm like what is that? And then another one, but it wasn't as bad. My daughter-in-law and her daughter were running around and I said what's up. They said the sound came from the back. When I ran to the sliding glass doors, I saw the fire," Vanessa Wilcox, who lives behind the home, said. Wilcox said she went into her backyard and used a garden hose to try to put out the fire and keep it from spreading any further. It's unclear if the home was occupied at the time of the fire. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said there were no transports.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Family of 9-year-old boy killed by stray bullet in Florida City sues apartment complex
On the night of Nov. 16, 9-year-old Antavious Scott was outside playing football with a group of friends at the Southpoint Crossing apartment complex in Florida City when a hail of shots rang out. As the gunfire quieted along West Lucy Street, Antavious was lying on the ground, shot in the back. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue paramedics airlifted him to HCA Kendall Hospital, where he died. The area surrounding Southpoint Crossing can be dangerous with gang activity. There were four shootings in the vicinity of the housing complex the week before Antavious — called TayTay by family and friends — was killed. READ MORE: 'He should be alive.' Family, friends mourn death of 9-year-old boy in Florida City Yet, the gate to drive into Southpoint Crossing remains stuck open to this day. It was designed to only open when residents punch a number into the call box. Additionally, there are no security patrols that could keep an eye out for who's coming in and out or to notify police if trouble is brewing. The lack of security measures prompted Antavious' family, including his mother, Shanika Williams and grandmother Teretha Williams, to sue the owners of Southpoint Crossing — Boston, Massachusetts-based Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc., known as POAH. The negligence, wrongful death lawsuit was filed in Miami-Dade County court Monday, and the family held a press conference Tuesday morning with their lawyer, Miami crime victim attorney Michael Haggard of the Haggard Law Firm, in a field across the street from Southpoint Crossing. 'If there had been security, my grandson would be here today,' Teretha Williams said. Haggard told reporters that POAH is a large company, managing 14,000 apartments nationwide, with 22,000 residential renters. That means it can afford to pay for security, especially in buildings located in high-crime areas. 'Had they provided proper security, this wouldn't have happened,' Haggard told reporters. 'Believe me, they have the resources.' READ MORE: A 9-year-old boy was shot and killed in Florida City, and a teen has been arrested Emphasizing the senselessness of a 9-year-old child dying in a barrage of bullets likely meant for someone else, Haggard recalled coaching youth football for a decade in Miami-Dade, mentoring many boys Antavious' age. 'I have coached hundreds of TayTays,' Haggard said, noting, 'not only was he taken from this family, but taken from the community.' The homicide investigation surrounding Antavious' death is being handled by Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office detectives, who conduct homicide investigations for several small municipalities located in the county, like Florida City. They arrested 20-year-old Montreal Santovae Jackson, Jr. in February and charged him with second-degree murder. Detectives say Jackson and another man are seen on security camera footage casing out Southpoint Crossing while armed. The footage then shows them driving into the area in a 2015 Volkswagen sedan, walking into an open field from where detectives say the bullets were fired, and subsequently running toward their car, according to Jackson's arrest report. Investigators found several bullet casings from both .40 caliber and 9mm handguns in the field, according to their report. Detectives have not arrested the man they say was Jackson's accomplice. Jackson remains in Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on no bond pending trial. Shanika was was red-eyed from crying during the press conference. Remembering Antavious, she recalled the innocent pursuits of youth he too enjoyed. 'Antavious meant the world to me. He was my everything. My baby loved to play football,' she said. 'To play video games.' Teretha Williams said the loss of Antavious is something the family will never get over and are still struggling with six months later. 'It's hard to live my life and watch my daughter in this situation,' she said. 'I don't have the words to say to my daughter.' When reached Tuesday about the lawsuit, Maria Plati, senior communications director for POAH, said the company could not comment on the case. 'We are deeply saddened by the loss of Antavious and extend our heartfelt condolences to his mother, Shanika Williams, and other family members. Due to the pending litigation involving this tragic incident, at the moment, we cannot offer comments on this matter or the public claims made by Antavious Scott's family and their attorney during today's press conference.'
Miami Herald
23-04-2025
- Miami Herald
Family of 9-year-old boy killed by stray bullet in Florida City sues apartment complex
On the night of Nov. 16, 9-year-old Antavious Scott was outside playing football with a group of friends at the Southpoint Crossing apartment complex in Florida City when a hail of shots rang out. As the gunfire quieted along West Lucy Street, Antavious was lying on the ground, shot in the back. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue paramedics airlifted him to HCA Kendall Hospital, where he died. The area surrounding Southpoint Crossing can be dangerous with gang activity. There were four shootings in the vicinity of the housing complex the week before Antavious — called TayTay by family and friends — was killed. READ MORE: 'He should be alive.' Family, friends mourn death of 9-year-old boy in Florida City Yet, the gate to drive into Southpoint Crossing remains stuck open to this day. It was designed to only open when residents punch a number into the call box. Additionally, there are no security patrols that could keep an eye out for who's coming in and out or to notify police if trouble is brewing. The lack of security measures prompted Antavious' family, including his mother, Shanika Williams and grandmother Teretha Williams, to sue the owners of Southpoint Crossing — Boston, Massachusetts-based Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc., known as POAH. The negligence, wrongful death lawsuit was filed in Miami-Dade County court Monday, and the family held a press conference Tuesday morning with their attorney, Miami criminal defense attorney Michael Haggard of the Haggard Law Firm, in a field across the street from Southpoint Crossing. 'If there had been security, my grandson would be here today,' Teretha Williams said. Haggard told reporters that POAH is a large company, managing 14,000 apartments nationwide, with 22,000 residential renters. That means it can afford to pay for security, especially in buildings located in high-crime areas. 'Had they provided proper security, this wouldn't have happened,' Haggard told reporters. 'Believe me, they have the resources.' READ MORE: A 9-year-old boy was shot and killed in Florida City, and a teen has been arrested Emphasizing the senselessness of a 9-year-old child dying in a barrage of bullets likely meant for someone else, Haggard recalled coaching youth football for a decade in Miami-Dade, mentoring many boys Antavious' age. 'I have coached hundreds of TayTays,' Haggard said, noting, 'not only was he taken from this family, but taken from the community.' The homicide investigation surrounding Antavious' death is being handled by Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office detectives, who conduct homicide investigations for several small municipalities located in the county, like Florida City. They arrested 20-year-old Montreal Santovae Jackson, Jr. in February and charged him with second-degree murder. Detectives say Jackson and another man are seen on security camera footage casing out Southpoint Crossing while armed. The footage then shows them driving into the area in a 2015 Volkswagen sedan, walking into an open field from where detectives say the bullets were fired, and subsequently running toward their car, according to Jackson's arrest report. Investigators found several bullet casings from both .40 caliber and 9mm handguns in the field, according to their report. Detectives have not arrested the man they say was Jackson's accomplice. Jackson remains in Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on no bond pending trial. Shanika was was red-eyed from crying during the press conference. Remembering Antavious, she recalled the innocent pursuits of youth he too enjoyed. 'Antavious meant the world to me. He was my everything. My baby loved to play football,' she said. 'To play video games.' Teretha Williams said the loss of Antavious is something the family will never get over and are still struggling with six months later. 'It's hard to live my life and watch my daughter in this situation,' she said. 'I don't have the words to say to my daughter.' When reached for comment Tuesday about the lawsuit, Maria Plati, senior communications director for POAH, said the company could not comment on the case. 'We are deeply saddened by the loss of Antavious and extend our heartfelt condolences to his mother, Shanika Williams, and other family members. Due to the pending litigation involving this tragic incident, at the moment, we cannot offer comments on this matter or the public claims made by Antavious Scott's family and their attorney during today's press conference.'
Miami Herald
14-04-2025
- Miami Herald
Miami Gardens woman shot by son-in-law, cops say. Have you seen this blue truck?
Miami Gardens police are looking for a man who they say shot his mother-in-law Monday morning. The shooting happened at the 4400 block of NW 203rd Terrace around 11:30 a.m., police said. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue airlifted the woman to a hospital, police say. Her condition was not immediately available as of Monday afternoon. Police are looking for the man, who left traveling southbound from the area of the shooting in a blue Ford F-150 pickup truck. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
