Authorities investigate death after Punta Gorda house fire

Published: Updated:
Photo via viewer Greg Butler.

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. – A homeowner is being treated in the intensive care unit of at the Black Medical Center in Bradenton after a dead body was discovered in a fire at his home Monday.

Ronald Bell, 67, suffered burns and smoke inhalation from the fire that ravaged his house just east of Interstate 75 in Charlotte County.

Investigators said Bell called 911 after escaping the fire and alerted dispatchers that someone could be trapped inside the home.

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Det. Todd Davis said fire and medical crews rushed to the scene but were too late.

“They did go into the house to try and locate somebody, but the house was engulfed at that point and time, and there wasn’t much left,” Davis said.

The identity of the person who died is unclear.

Authorities are looking into the death and trying to determine the cause of the fire. They don’t believe it’s suspicious.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.