Blaze Destroys Large FL Flea Market
By Elise C. Gregg, Devoun Cetoute, C. Isaiah Smalls II
Source Miami Herald (TNS)
Miami-Dade firefighters are battling a large fire that set part of the Tropicana Flea Market ablaze Thursday, spreading into a warehouse, authorities say. A person has been rushed to the hospital.
Just before 5 p.m., Miami-Dade Fire Rescue was called to a fire at the flea market in Brownsville — which is one of the county’s largest. Firefighters first found a tent engulfed in flames before the blaze spread to a nearby warehouse.
Tropicana Flea Market is Miami’s largest flea market with over 200 booths, according to their website.
One person suffered traumatic injuries and was taken to a local trauma center, fire rescue said. More firefighter crews have been called in to combat the blaze.
Virginia Rodriguez has sold accessories inside the flea market for the past eight years. While watching the 6 p.m. news, Rodriguez told the Miami Herald she saw reports of a fire flash across her screen.
“Oi! Tropicana? Flea market? It’s a fire!” she recalled saying to herself.
Rodriguez quickly rushed to the scene only to have police cars blocking her entry.
“I feel bad,” Rodriguez said. “Big problem.”
Similarly, Dieuceres and Mary Adain raced to the flea market with worries on their mind, as they have a shop that sells shoes, boots and various items. The market has been the shop’s home for about 30 years.
“This is where I invested a lot of money,” Dieuceres added.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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