CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Early Friday morning, two vehicles were destroyed in a fire outside a Coral Gables home, ignited by a fallen power line.
Coral Gables Fire Rescue Lt. Ishmael Roig reported the department was alerted just before 6 a.m. Responding crews rushed to the residence in the 1800 block of Ferdinand Street, where the fire was already escalating.
A Frightening Wake-Up Call
“I was waking up at that time to go to the bathroom and I saw flames on the house on the corner,” a neighbor shared.
“So the police came and everyone had to go out on this block.”
Upon arrival, firefighters discovered the two vehicles ablaze, with a power line draped over them.
Critical Decisions Made to Save the Home
Roig explained how quick thinking and decisive actions prevented further destruction.
“We had our battalion chief on duty realize the gravity of the situation, and as soon as he saw crews extending their hose lines to put water on it, he said, ‘Hold on a second. Let’s go ahead and shut down the FPL power grid so we can fight that fire and save that house,’” Roig recounted.
The flames, which had already begun spreading to the nearby home, were swiftly extinguished after the power grid was deactivated.
Residents Safe, Investigation Underway
Fortunately, the residents of the affected home were already outside when emergency crews arrived, ensuring no injuries occurred.
The fire department, in collaboration with Florida Power & Light (FPL), is now investigating the cause of the fallen power line.
Community Impact
As of Friday morning, approximately 1,400 homes in the area were still without power, highlighting the broader consequences of the incident.
This story underscores the importance of swift emergency response and strategic decisions, which likely averted a far more devastating outcome.
