Fire broke out Wednesday at a private control tower under construction at Miami International Airport, injuring one worker.
Hot roofing tar spilled from a pot and ignited, Miami-Dade Fire-Rescue spokeswoman Laverne Guillen said. One worker suffered minor burns and was taken to a hospital, she said.
The fire appeared to be confined to the domed upper deck of the tower, which is part of a costly construction project at the airport.
Fire crews had to approach the building cautiously because a flammable propane tank was being used to heat the tar kettle, said Max Fajardo, a deputy aviation director.
The structure is a planned American Airlines ramp control tower that would deal only with aircraft on the ground around the passenger gates, said Jim Marinitti, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association in Miami.
American Airlines had not yet assessed the damage to the tower, which was set to be occupied by the airline in October, said American spokesman Tim Smith.
“I’m sure it will set back the timing of that,” Smith said.