Fatal Lakeland Fire Under Investigation

LAKELAND, FL — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Wednesday morning residential fire that claimed one life.

According to the agency, the blaze broke out around 1:30 a.m. Oct. 11. Four adults and two children living in the home in the 7400 block of Green Road were able to safely evacuate, but 78-year-old Edward McLaughlin did not. McLaughlin’s body was found in a back bedroom of the house, according to Polk County Fire Rescue. Three dogs also died in the fire.

Fire Rescue reported Monday morning the cause of the fire was still under investigation. A separate investigation into the death is also being conducted by the sheriff's office.

While the person's cause of death remains under investigation, the fatality has prompted officials to issue a safety warning. Typical residential fires may leave residents with only one to two minutes of time to escape safely from the time a smoke alarm sounds, an email from fire rescue warned. With that in mind, the agency is urging all residents to develop home escape plans.

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“Developing and practicing a home escape plan is like building muscle memory,” Fire Chief Anthony Stravino said in a statement. “That pre-planning is what everyone will draw upon to snap into action and escape as quickly as possible in the event of a fire.”

Home escape plans involve mapping out routes of escape and practicing them in advance of an emergency. A solid strategy, Stravino said, also includes making sure there are working smoke alarms on every level of a home, in bedrooms and near sleeping areas. Evacuation routes should include two ways to get out of every room – usually through doors and windows. A clear meeting place for family members, such as a mailbox, should also be established.

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Fire rescue officials also recommend residents consider these tips:

• Draw out an evacuation map, marking two exits from each room and the path outside from each
• Practice a home fire drill at least twice a year – once during the day and once at night
• Teach children how to escape on their own
• Make sure the house’s number is clearly marked and easy for firefighters to find
• When evacuating during a fire, close doors. This may help slow the spread of flames, heat and smoke
• Once safely evacuated, do not go back inside

It is unclear how soon the investigations into Wednesday’s fire will be completed.

Image via Shutterstock