Plantation Fire Displaces Family, Destroys Mementos

PLANTATION (CBS4)- A Miami Heat fan was attending Thursday night's game when he received a call from an unfamiliar number.

Ray Miller had to leave the game after he learned his house at the 10000 block of NW 14th Street in Plantation went up in flames at approximately 9:30 p.m.

"When I answered it was from plantation police officer Bryan and he told me my house was engulfed in flames," Miller said.

The fire, which was reported by a neighbor, was a big challenge for firefighters. Firefighters reported heavy smoke coming from the front of the single family home, and found the kitchen area heavily involved in fire.

Miller said he moved some of his belongings he had in storage Thursday morning, but by the end of the night it was all up in flames.

"I thought it was joke," he said.

Miller told CBS4's Vanessa Borge that he doesn't spend a lot of time in the home because his wife of 7 years, Bania, is being treated in Miami for lung cancer.

"We're in between Miami because she's at Sylvester's," he said. "We're close by because she's getting treatments."

Fire officials said the cause of the fire started in the kitchen, but smoke damage affected the entire home.

Miller said that isn't the worse part. That's because right above the kitchen is the attic, where he kept his pictures and videos.

"All my childhood mementos... photos is directly where the fire was," Miller said.

A fire marshall inspected Miller's home and told him the refrigerator may be to blame for the blaze.

"He went in and showed me and said the refrigerator is how it started, which is scary to think something as benign as a fridge can do this," Miller said.

Miller said he had no choice but to deal with it.

"You don't think about insurances and processes and then the rug is pulled out from under you and you have to adjust and adapt," Miller said.

Miller has been adjusting to difficult circumstances for some time now, but continues to have a positive outlook.

"The good part is that nobody got hurt," he said. "My daughters weren't here. I'm okay. All of that is a blessing in disguise."

An adjuster arrived Friday and told Miller that he may be completely covered by his insurance.