Fire and smoke coming from the depths of the concrete and metal rubble of a collapsed 12-storey building near Miami hampered rescue workers’ efforts Saturday as they try to find a survivor.
Rescue crews used laser beam, water and foam technology to fight the blaze, the source of which was unclear. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said smoke has been the biggest challenge in search-and-rescue operations.
At a press conference, she said the flames were coming from inside the “mountain” of rubble and that rescue teams were facing tremendous difficulties as a result of the fire.
A firefighter used high-pressure water pumps on the lower floors of the building as white smoke or steam emitted that smelled of a heavy, sulfur-like odor.
“The bad smell is very heavy”, said Governor Ron DeSantis.
A crane removed pieces of debris from the rubble pile about 10 meters high, while crews used heavy machinery, drones, sophisticated equipment, circumstantial tools and microphones in an effort to find people.
According to officials, the fate of 159 people is still unknown since the partial collapse of the palace on Thursday.
