WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A fast-moving house fire claimed the lives of two elderly residents in Winter Haven Sunday morning, official reports confirmed.
Emergency dispatchers received a 911 call at approximately 10:16 a.m. regarding a structure fire at a single-story home located at 1911 5th St NE. Crews from both the Winter Haven Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue rushed to the scene.
Upon arrival, first responders encountered heavy smoke and flames pouring from the building. Bystanders and crews immediately learned that two adults were still trapped inside the rear section of the house. Two other adults had already managed to escape the burning structure safely before firefighters arrived.
Winter Haven firefighters launched an aggressive attack on the blaze, successfully containing the fire within five minutes of their arrival. However, when crews pushed into the heavily damaged rear portion of the home, they discovered the two elderly victims. Both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to initial reports from emergency personnel, the fire appears to have started in the back section of the home where the victims were discovered.
The Winter Haven Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are actively investigating the cause and origin of the blaze. Representatives from the Red Cross were also called to the scene to provide assistance.
“Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragic fire,” Winter Haven Fire Chief Drew Neubrand said following the incident. “We also recognize the impact this incident has on our entire community, and we are grateful that two adults were able to escape safely.”
READ: Police Identify Scuba Diver Found Dead Off Treasure Island Beach As 41-Year-Old Woman
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
