Two more fires broke out Tuesday at the Las Olas Grand construction site on the New River, bolstering suspicions that the luxury high-rise has become the target of arson and vandalism.
Firefighters were called to the building about 1:41 p.m., according to officials with Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue. When they arrived five minutes later, construction workers already had put out the flames.
The fires broke out simultaneously on the 14th and 29th floors. Two cardboard boxes, one containing a high-end refrigerator and the other an oven, were in flames, fire officials said.
It doesn't get any more dangerous than a fire at a high-rise building under construction, because not all the safety features are in place" and it's difficult for firefighters to navigate through a large construction site, said Fire Rescue Division Chief Stephen McInerny.
The fires were the second and third to break out in recent months at the 39-story condo in the 400 block of Southeast Fifth Avenue.
The first incident occurred in May when a fire erupted on the 33rd floor, causing $20,000 in damage. The fire was labeled accidental, but investigators will be taking another look at that incident in light of Tuesday's fires, said Battalion Chief Dan Hanes.
Law enforcement officials suspect the building also has been the object of other types of vandalism. Turner Construction, the site's contractor, halted work at the building in February after officials suspected a vandal was tossing debris onto the busy Riverwalk and roadway below. The site had been shut twice before because of falling wood, steel and debris.
No one was charged in the February incident, and Turner installed netting to protect pedestrians and workers.
Hanes said Tuesday's fires were similar to the one firefighters encountered in May. That time another cardboard box containing an expensive refrigerator was in flames.
He said the Fire Marshal's Office would determine whether the fires were intentionally set. If so, the Police Department will investigate to try to determine who is responsible.
"It's under investigation, but it is highly suspicious," Hanes said.
