FL Convention Center Roof Fire Causes Evacuation

One firefighter was transported for smoke inhalation as crews extinguished a rooftop fire at the Miami Beach Convention Center during a cruise industry event.

By Devoun Cetoute

Source Miami Herald

Nov. 11, 2021

An air conditioning unit catches fire on the roof of the Miami Beach, FL, Convention Center, leading the venue to be evacuated on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021.

Firefighters responded to a fire at the Miami Beach Convention Center on Wednesday afternoon, authorities say. A cruise industry event was being held at the time.

As of 5:55 p.m., the fire had been contained at the convention center and the building was evacuated, at 1901 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach spokesperson Melissa Berthier said. The blaze started from a chiller on the roof.

A firefighter was taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center due to smoke inhalation out of precaution, she said. There were no other injuries.

The convention center was hosting a CruiseWorld and Cruise Ship Interiors Expo America event, which included a Marine and Interior Show, attendee Angiolina Marotto said.

Around 5:30 p.m., the fire alarm began blaring inside the convention center and attendees were told to evacuate the building over a PA system, Marotto added.

At first it was unclear whether the alarm was a drill, as there were no signs of a fire from inside, but she followed their instructions and stepped outside.

“At the beginning, I could only see the smoke but then I smelled the burning,” Marotto said.