Firefighters responded to a structure fire involving one unit of a multiplex located at 1695 Lakeview Lane, Unit #D.
Units received the initial call at 9:10 a.m. on Thursday, November 24, 2022. First arriving units found heavy fire to the single story residence.
One elderly victim, later identified as 82 year-old Patricia Mitchell, was laying outside the structure and was transported to the hospital in critical condition. One additional patient was treated on the scene.
Several hours later Mitchell died at the hospital.
Detectives from Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) are investigating the fire and say a neighbor called 9-1-1. The neighbor pulled Mitchell from the doorway of the residence after hearing her call for help.
According to detectives, the main door to the residence was open, but the screen door was closed at the time that Mitchell was calling for help.
The Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death while detectives say the fire appears to be accidental in nature.
Next of kin has been notified.
The investigation continues.