NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) – One day later, their loved ones are devastated after flames broke out in a mobile home in northwest Miami-Dade, trapping an elderly couple inside – with tragic consequences.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units arrived at the scene of the fire near Northwest 27th Avenue and 76th Street shortly before 10 p.m. Thursday.

“Two people are trapped inside. Crew, move to the back of the building,” a first responder said over the radio.

A witness said neighbors tried to rescue the couple.

“It was a devastating feeling. You know, something was wrong. The fire started burning, many of my friends ran to the trailer and tried to open it, but they couldn’t. There wasn’t enough time,” he said.

Another witness, Jefrin, described what he saw.

“Some people climbed onto the roof of the house next door. They drilled holes in the roof,” he said. “Some others got buckets of water and just threw it at the windows, but it didn’t help at all.”

When the MDFR teams arrived, they found a dead elderly woman in the back of the trailer.

“We’re going to the room in the back of the truck because we’ve received reports of a victim in a wheelchair,” a first responder said over the radio.

Firefighters were able to rescue an elderly man. Family members identified him as Frank Pinera.

Paramedics took the surviving victim to Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition.

On Friday morning, Pinera’s brother went to the charred remains of the trailer and told 7News he did not understand how it happened.

“I don’t know,” he said.

The victim’s brother said in Spanish that Piñera was a good person who did not cause problems and worked hard.

Neighbors said they were devastated.

“He always helps the neighbors, the homeless on the street,” said the witness, who did not give his name.

“It was sad because the guy had helped me teach myself to ride a bike,” Jefrin said.

Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the fire.

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