Southwest

Child With Lighter Starts Deerfield Beach House Fire: BSO Fire Rescue

Firefighters rescued an elderly woman after her Deerfield Beach home went up in flames Wednesday.

The incident happened at the home in the area of Southwest 15th Street and 8th Avenue.

Officials said the 80-year-old woman had escaped the fire but went back inside to save pets. When firefighters arrived they took her to safety.

No one was seriously injured and the pets are fine. The woman said she was a little shaken up but otherwise okay.

Cellphone video shows the smokey haze coming from the burning home where the woman and her dog were still inside.

"I came out of the house and saw smoke coming from the back bedroom and the kids were running in and out and they tried to use the water hose," said Ashley Wallace, neighbor.

Firefighters rushed to the rescue and found Mary Smith in a bedroom. She'd gone back in to save her Rotweiler, Lily.

"We found the elderly woman sitting in the smoke-filled room just sitting there," said Joseph Fortnash with BSO Fire Rescue.

"I grabbed her and escorted her out. She was a little unstable, she leaned on me and I took her out the front door," Michael Tumminello with BSO Fire Rescue added.

Fire investigators said one of her great-grandchildren who lives there started the fire.

"One of the two had a BIC-style lighter and lit it against a mattress against the wall. That's what started the fire," Mike Jachles with BSO Fire Rescue said.

Smith said she's disappointed but said the important thing is everyone is alright. She has the firefighters to thank for that.

"Thank you very much. Naturally I have to thank them because naturally I couldn't have put it out," Smith said.

The fire left heavy damage to the home.

Firefighters said the children involved will need to take part in a course on fire safety.

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