ABCAction News
Reprinted with Permission

TAMPA - An early morning fire in Progress Village has claimed an elderly woman's life.


Hillsborough County firefighters responded to 5211 80th Street South just after 1 a.m. Wednesday morning. They were able to quickly put the fire out, but they found the 78-year-old victim unconscious inside the home. She was rushed her to Brandon Regional Hospital in critical condition, but she later died.

Crews managed to contain the flames to the inside of the woman's home.

Arson detection dogs walked through the home around 5 a.m., but deputies will not say if they believe the fire was set on purpose.

The name of the elderly woman has not yet been released.

The fire marshall is investigating the cause of the fire, and the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office will conduct a death investigation.