SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A woman was able to escape but two men died when a house in Seminole County caught fire Sunday morning.
Seminole County Fire Department officials said the flames were reported around 3:50 a.m. in the 100 block of Nicole Lane in unincorporated Longwood.
SCFD Lt. Paula Thompson said flames were coming from the roof of the home when crews arrived.
"It had heavy flames showing through the house," Thompson said.
By the time the fire was extinguished, much of the home's roof and its front entrance had been destroyed.
Thompson said the woman escaped from the home after she smelled smoke and called 911. When firefighters arrived, they went inside the home and found the two men. One man died in the home and the other died at a local hospital.
The victims, who were a father and his son, were later identified as 75-year-old Donald Ames and 50-year-old Daniel Ames.
SCFD on scene fatal residential fire. 1 adult female evacuated and called 911. Firefighters made entry under heavy fire conditions and located 2 adult males, both perished. Fire is out and currently in overhaul. Fire is being investigated by SCFD and State Fire Marshal. pic.twitter.com/3E3kkcTTt5
— SCFD PIO Media (@scfdpio) March 17, 2019
Thompson said the wife and mother, also in her 70s, was not transported to a hospital.
The State Fire Marshal's Office and the Seminole County Fire Department are investigating.
The cause of the fire has not been released, although at this time it does not appear to be suspicious.
"There's nothing that we've been told that's been suspicious, but anything like that would certainly come out in an investigation," Thompson said.
Neighbor Debra Folsome said she was shocked to learn about the fatal fire.
"It's too close to home," Folsome said. "It just reminds you that life is precious."
SCFD said this was marks the third fatal house fire so far in 2019. Thompson said the department typically responds to that many in a year.
Thompson is urging everyone to check their fire alarms to make sure they're working.
"Our homes are aging here in Seminole County. We just want to remind people to check their smoke alarms, make sure they're working properly, replace them every 10 years," Thompson said.