Fire

A 54-year-old woman and at least two of her dogs were killed in a Keystone Heights fire Tuesday, authorities said.

The woman, whose identity is not being released until it is confirmed by the Medical Examiner’s Office, was found in the living room of the wood frame house in the 7900 block of Florida 100, said detective Robby Stephens of the State Fire Marshals Office. Neighbors told firefighters the woman lived alone and was home when the fire was reported about 3 p.m., Stephens said.

The fire that is believed to have started in the garage, spread to the 2,400 square-foot home, several vehicles, a boat and trees. Stephens estimated damage at $250,000. Two other dogs were found outside and one is still missing, though not believed to be in the house.

It saddens my heart that this 3yr. old child with pretty blue eyes died in a house. Fire, and too boot most likely could have been avoided. I have been in three fires involving my personnel property, two house fires, and one auto fire. Due to the quick thinking of my son, who was trained in fire suppression in the Navy, and my training as a fire fighter we managed to suppress both house fires right before flash over, and before the fire department arrived. The auto was a total loss.There was a common denominator in the house fire that was missing in the auto fire.