Miami-Dade Firefighter Injured Battling Restaurant Fire

MIAMI, FL — A Miami-Dade firefighter was injured early Tuesday while battling a fire at the flagship location of a popular Miami eatery. The firefighter was taken to a local hospital for treatment, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials.

The blaze broke out in the Delicias de España restaurant at 4016 SW 57th Ave shortly before 12:30 a.m.

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"When units arrived, they found thick black smoke billowing out of a storefront bakery,"explained Lt. Kirsten Miller of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.

"They quickly went into action and started working to extinguish the fire," she said.

Miller said that the firefighter suffered smoke inhalation. "Great news at this time he has been released from the hospital, and is feeling back to normal," she said as of Tuesday night.

The business, which has three locations, was started by Ernesto Llerandi and his wife Isabel Miranda, in 1997 at the SW 57th Avenue location.

"It was a small place with only two tables and some Spanish dishes that Isabel prepared in the kitchen, purveying that homemade warmth that we so much crave on today’s fast-paced living," according to the restaurant website.

Miller said that the fire was brought under control in less than an hour, but units remained at the restaurant for several hours to make sure that the blaze did not reignite.

"Inside the bakery is significant damage," Miller added. "It most likely will be a total loss."

The cause is still under investigation.

Photo courtesy Miami-Dade Fire Rescue