AVON PARK, FL — Two people died early Friday morning in a hotel fire in Avon Park, according to authorities.
Highlands County Consolidated Dispatch received a call at 1:59 a.m. on April 3, 2026, reporting a fire in a second-story room at the Econo Lodge Avon Park.
The first deputy arrived on scene at 2:03 a.m., followed by Highlands County Fire-Rescue at 2:08 a.m. The Avon Park Fire Department also responded shortly after.
Officials said the room was filled with smoke when responders entered. An adult male and an adult female were found inside and pronounced dead after being removed from the room.
No other injuries were reported among hotel guests or first responders.
The Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives is investigating the cause of the fire, while the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a parallel death investigation.
SOURCE: HIGHLANDS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
