Miami building collapse 'like something from 9/11'

A partial building collapse in the US city of Miami has caused a massive response from Miami Dade Fire Rescue, according to a tweet from the department's account early today.

"Over 80 MDFR units including #TRT (Technical Rescue Teams) are on scene with assistance from municipal fire departments," the tweet said.

Miami Dade Fire Rescue is conducting search and rescue. Authorities had no word yet on casualties, or details of how many people lived in the building.

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Police blocked nearby roads, and scores of fire and rescue vehicles, ambulances and police cars swarmed the area.

"We're on the scene so it's still very active," said Sgt Marian Cruz of Miami Dade Fire Rescue.

"What I can tell you is the building is twelve floors. The entire back side of the building has collapsed."

Photos and video from the scene show that the collapse affected half the tower. Piles of rubble and debris surrounded the area just outside the building.

The department has yet to say what may have caused the collapse near 88th Street and Collins Avenue.

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"I have never seen so many ambulances and police in my life all at once," a man who lives nearby told CNN.

"It looked like something from 9/11, literally.

"The entire building collapsed from the 14th floor.

"So there's a third of the entire building, that you cannot see from the street, but it's completely gone.

"It almost looks like 9/11 or if a bomb hit or something.

"It just completely wiped it out. There's a pile of rubble."

According to the Miami Herald, the 12-storey condo tower, part of Champlain Towers, is an oceanside condo built in 1981 with more than 100 units.

https://twitter.com/MiamiDadeFire/status/1407951283747799043?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

The area is a mix of new and old apartments, houses, condominiums and hotels, with restaurants and stores serving an international combination of residents and tourists. The community provides a stark contrast from bustle and glitz of South Beach with a slower paced neighbourhood feel.