Fire at quadplex displaces 12 residents

NORTH LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Crews are investigating a massive fire that broke out early Friday morning at a South Florida quadplex.

The blaze sparked at about 4:20 a.m. at the building on the 200 block of San Remo Boulevard. North Lauderdale Fire Rescue arrived on the scene to find flames and heavy smoke billowing from the building. Seven residents were inside at the time of the fire.

According to a City of North Lauderdale spokesperson, the fire started in the attic and spread to the roof of all four units. "Our preliminary information shows that the fire started in the attic, moved very, very quickly and consumed the building very quickly," said Jennifer Johnson.

The building was evacuated and residents stood by as crews worked to extinguish the flames. "By the time I opened the door and went downstairs, there was a lot of smoke, and at the same time, the police told me to evacuate and now everything is stuck inside," said Alex Dor, a tenant who left his unit with only the clothes on his back. "Everyone is OK but inside, even my car keys, I can't take it."

A single mother of four listed the items she was forced to leave behind. "Clothes, shoes, beds, TV, dresses, everything I had is gone," said Clinetta Boyd. "Now I gotta find somewhere to go until another unit is ready for me and my kids," she continued.

All four units in the quadplex have been deemed uninhabitable and will likely be demolished. Twelve residents have been displaced. The Red Cross will be assisting them for up to two weeks.

No one was injured in this fire. The cause of the blaze remains unknown.

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