‘We lost everything’: Victims of Temple Court Apartments await next steps in a motel

When flames began to consume the Temple Court Apartment buildings on Monday morning, resident Zoraya Marquez, 66, felt the heat.

“The flames were right on top of me, so I had to run out of there,” she said. “I knocked on my neighbors’ doors, but they couldn’t hear me, so they had to be rescued through their balcony. The only thing I could do was take my wallet with documents and I shot out running.”

The historic apartment building in Miami was destroyed in a 3-alarm fire on Monday that police say was set by a resident who also shot the building’s maintenance man. He has since been apprehended and formally charged, and the former residents of the apartment complex are waiting at friend’s homes — or a nearby motel — to learn about what happens next.

“The man who did all this… who destroyed the lives of over 60 people, was in 307, said Marquez, who lived in until 304. “I would see him around; he never looked like a nice person.”

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A breast cancer survivor, Marquez now faces a new challenge: accessing her essential daily medications, which were lost in the fire. She is currently working with the Red Cross to get her medication as soon as possible.

“I’m so thankful to everyone who has helped us,” said Marquez. “There’s too many people to thank.”

Now she and the dozens of former residents are waiting to see if their homes or belongings can be recovered.

For the first couple days, they were given shelter at the Jose Martí Park Gym. The Red Cross provided meals—dinner, breakfast, and lunch—alongside health and mental health services.

The temporary shelter, which opened at 3 p.m. Monday, housed 47 overnight clients. This number increased to 54 Tuesday morning as more people arrived seeking assistance, according to Tiffany Gonzalez, regional communications director for the Red Cross.

“They’re very grateful for the help that they’re receiving,” said Gonzalez. “Many of them have lost pretty much everything that they have there. They came with the clothes on their backs, so they definitely have a long road to recovery.”

In a statement, Atlantic Housing Management gave an update on housing for the residents.

“The Red Cross provided shelter for the first night. Some residents have been able to stay with family, and we are providing hotel accommodations for the rest over the next two weeks while we work with HUD and the Department of Health and Human Services to help them find alternative housing during the interim.”

Miriam Valdes, 69, lived in the building since 2015 and says she never could have imagined something like this ever happening.

“I left early to go to physical therapy and as I was getting there, my sister called me and told me what was happening, said Valdes. “I rushed home, but by the time I got there, it was too late and I couldn’t get back home again. We lost everything we had: clothes, shoes, medication, our passports… just everything.”

The residents were transported to Motel 6 Tuesday afternoon where they will be staying for about two weeks until they can be provided with permanent housing according to City of Miami District 1 Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela.

“We’ve secured 19 units so far and we’re working on furnishing them so they can have a resemblance of home,” said Gabela. “We’re reaching out to Goodwill, United Way and my office will be donating more money.”

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Atlantic Housing Management also gave an update on Feder Biotte, the 30-year-old man who was shot during the fire.

“Our Lead Service Technician, Feder Biotte, who was shot on-site at Temple Court Apartments in Miami on the morning of June 10, 2024, is currently in stable condition. He is loved by his family, friends, co-workers, and Temple Court residents, and we are all rooting for his recovery,” the statement said.

Resident Juan Francisco Figueroa was arrested and charged in the shooting with attempted murder, first-degree arson and displaying a firearm while committing a felony.