SEBRING A family of five is safe, but their home was destroyed by fire Saturday afternoon.
After the fire department arrived about 1:20 p.m., Sonja Vasquez drove up, crying, holding an infant. Firemen were still inside her home, using long-handled pikes to pull down the ceiling in the kitchen and living room.
Sebring Fire Chief Brad Batz said the small, three-bedroom, wood-frame house at the corner or Rainbow and Warfield would likely be a total loss. Clearly, neighbors estimated, Vasquez, her husband and three children wouldn't be able to go inside for hours, maybe not until Sunday morning.
The fire started in the kitchen area, but Batz didn't think cooking was the cause.
"They had been gone to Wal-Mart for three hours," the chief said. But the reason may not be electrical either.
"I don't know yet. It's too early to tell. The state fire marshal investigators are in there now," Batz said. Outside, on a neighbor's lawn, Mrs. Vasquez was having trouble breathing. Two medics stood by; in case she needed oxygen or assistance. Another woman held the Vasquez baby while the mother sat in the passenger seat of a mini-van.
"They think maybe candles," said Ismal Lemeus, a next-door neighbor who just moved in a few weeks ago. "That's what's she's saying."
Gary Pinnell can be reached at gpinnell@highlandstoday.com or 863 386-5828
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