Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) teams faced a somber scene on Bendelow Drive in Lakeland, where a fire claimed an individual’s life and left another in need of urgent care last Wednesday. As reported by Polk County official news, units arriving on location encountered a working blaze in the back bedroom of the house and swiftly provided assistance to a person found injured outside the residence.
Fire Chief Shawn Smith released a statement to the community and media, lamenting the loss and extending solidarity to those in mourning, “It’s always a tragedy when death occurs in a manner like this — especially during the holiday season,” Smith remarked, “All Polk County Fire Rescue members give our condolences to the family and friends of the individual that passed away,” as captured in the official statement. The Chief also extended a message of hope for the survivor pulled from the vicinity of the calamity, “We also hope for a speedy recovery for the individual transported from the scene.”…