JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A house fire in the Grand Park neighborhood late Tuesday afternoon killed a woman in her 70s and sent two other women to the hospital in critical condition, according to Jacksonville Fire Rescue.
Firefighters called to 2100 block of West 17th Street found heavy flames consuming the front of the home.
Investigators said the woman who died was found near the carport in the front of the home, while a woman in her 90s found in the back in critical condition at Shands Jacksonville Medical Center. A third woman in her 40s showed up to try and help but was also badly burned. JFRD spokesman Tom Francis said likely will be transferred to the burn unit at Shands Medical Center in Gainesville.
Barbara Turner, a close family friend tried to help, but the flames were too much.
"I had just pulled up, she was screaming," Turner said. "I heard her screaming and the house was on fire. We tried to run around to see what was going on. It was already in flames when we came around."
The victim's widower was out playing softball when he heard about the fire. Friend who were with him Tuesday said he's too distraught to speak about his wife.
Channel 4's Scott Johnson said others who lived in the home were not hurt, but were visibly grieving at the scene.