LAKELAND, FL — Polk County Fire Rescue crews responding to a house fire in Highland City Wednesday morning discovered a deceased adult in the backyard who appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound.
Fire rescue crews were dispatched at approximately 11:42 a.m. and arrived minutes later to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the home. Firefighters immediately began an interior attack to extinguish the blaze.
According to Polk County Fire Rescue, as additional crews arrived, several other fires began throughout the structure. During the response, firefighters searching the property discovered the deceased adult outside the home.
“Scenes like this show how unpredictable a fire call can be for firefighters,” Fire Chief Shawn Smith said. “I commend our crews for their work on this scene and offer condolences to the family of the victim.”
The circumstances surrounding the person’s death and the cause of the fire remain under investigation. The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the incident.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY FIRE RESCUE
