Overview
- Fire crews responded to a structure fire at 1911 5th Street Northeast after a call that came in about 10:16 a.m., and firefighters reported heavy fire and smoke on arrival Sunday morning.
- Responders were told two adults had escaped before they arrived while two elderly residents were found dead in the rear of the single‑story home during a search.
- Crews from the Winter Haven Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue said they launched an aggressive interior attack and brought the blaze under control in about five minutes.
- The Winter Haven Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal's Office are jointly investigating the cause and origin, with preliminary indicators pointing to the back of the house and no cause yet released.
- The American Red Cross has been notified to assist those affected and Winter Haven officials offered condolences to the victims' family as the community waits for investigative findings.