Suspect in Miami building shooting and intentional fire in custody – NBC 6 South Florida

A suspect who shot a worker and intentionally started a massive fire at a Miami building that firefighters spent hours battling Monday has been arrested, Mayor Francis Suarez said.

Suarez said it was believed the suspect shot an employee at the Temple Court Apartments at 431 Northwest 3rd Street and then intentionally started the fire.

The identity of the suspect has not been released.

A total of 61 units across two buildings were affected by the fire, which broke out around 8:15 a.m. in the four-story structure located near the Miami River.

Dozens of residents had to be evacuated from their Miami apartment building after a shooting and massive fire.

Suarez said 126 firefighters battled the blaze for about 8 hours, a historic response for the city's fire department. More than 40 people were rescued from the building, including several people who had to be evacuated from their balconies through at least seven ladder rescues, Suarez said.

“Our firefighters have shown immense heroism in battling this fire for 20 hours,” Suarez told reporters. “A level 3 fire is something we haven’t seen in 25 years in the city, it requires 40 units of our firefighters.”

Suarez said all known people who were in the building had been accounted for and no deaths had been reported.

Images showed flames and thick smoke rising into the air from the building as Miami fire crews doused it with water from several trucks.

Authorities are investigating a shooting and massive fire at a Miami apartment building.

Crews quickly got to work searching the apartments as the fire, which started in the west building, spread to the east building, officials said.

Fire Lt. Pete Sanchez said the building's wooden frame helped it spread faster and make it more intense.

At one point, the roof of part of the west building collapsed and there was a small explosion, officials said.

PHOTOS: Massive fire in Miami building

One resident was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and three firefighters were also transported in stable condition for further evaluation, officials said. The firefighters were then released.

Sanchez said crews will remain in the building overnight through Tuesday to put out any spot fire that may occur.

The construction worker, found with a gunshot wound to the torso, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. He was identified by family members as Feder Biotte, 30, a building maintenance technician.

Authorities don't know what led to the shooting and fire.

Residents of the complex, many of them elderly and immobile, were moved to nearby José Marti Park, where they were given food and a place to rest.

A look at the history of the Temple Court apartment complex, the scene of a massive fire and shooting on June 10, 2024.

Suarez said Monday evening that a total of 43 people were in the park, but said the property management company would rent them hotel rooms for the next two weeks.

The American Red Cross and Miami police also assisted residents.

The Miami Fire Investigation Unit, Miami Police and the State Fire Marshal's Office are investigating the incident.

Check back with NBC6 for updates.