Fire broke out Monday on the 33rd floor of the Las Olas Grand job site, where construction was halted before because officials thought a vandal was tossing debris over the busy Riverwalk and roadway below.
Firefighters responded to a report of smoke coming from the 39-story building in the 400 block of Southeast Fifth Avenue in Fort Lauderdale around 1:45 p.m., Fire-Rescue Division Chief Stephen McInerny said. Crews found flames coming from a refrigerator's cardboard and foam packing in an apartment on the 33rd floor, and high winds helped spread the fire to the ceiling.
Firefighters contained the blaze in about 20 minutes. It caused about $20,000 in damage to the luxury high-rise, which already has windows, dry wall and electrical wiring, McInerny said.
Construction equipment covering the floor and a lack of firefighting tools, such as a working sprinkler system, made extinguishing the fire tougher, he said. Building workers used about six fire extinguishers in attempts to put out the blaze.
Fort Lauderdale fire and police officials are investigating the incident, which McInerny called suspicious.
One firefighter, Lt. Doug Stanley, 34, was taken to Broward General Medical Center after injuring his back while hooking up water lines, McInerny said. His injuries are not considered serious.
Turner Construction, the site's contractor, halted work at the building in February after officials suspected a saboteur was pelting boats on the nearby New River and cars with pieces of steel and plywood. No one was charged, and Turner installed netting on the side of the tower to catch falling debris.
The luxury condominium is nearing completion.
