WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — An elderly woman died in a mobile home fire Thursday morning despite a neighbor's best efforts to try and rescue her, according to police.
Firefighters responded around 7:18 a.m. to the area of Lake Henry Circle and Egret Drive, according to county fire rescue. Police say a neighbor heard what sounded like an explosion and went out to investigate.
He called for help and entered the home, the Winter Haven Police Department said in a news release.
Upon seeing an elderly man on the floor, he worked to pull him outside. The neighbor tried to go back inside to rescue a woman but was unable to get through the flames and smoke, police said.
First responders reportedly arrived about four minutes after the 911 call. Firefighters went inside the home to fight the flames and found the woman, but she already died from her injuries.
The fire was put out within about five minutes, police said.
Authorities add the man is listed in critical condition.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, however, authorities say it does not appear to be suspicious.