Despite Heroic Efforts of Neighbors, Fire Claims Life of Man in Lake Garfield Near Bartow

Flames rapidly engulfed a camper parked on a lot in the Lake Garfield area east of Bartow Monday afternoon, claiming the life of a 53-year-old man, despite the heroic efforts of neighbors who pulled the victim from the flaming trailer.

Courtesy Polk Fire Rescue

A firefighter enters the still-warm remains of a camper that was destroyed in a fire Monday in Lake Garfield, claiming the life of a 53-year-old man.

Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the 3:43 p.m. call of a fire on Pipes Road, reportedly arriving at the scene only two minutes later and finding the camper engulfed in flames. They provided immediate first aid to the victim who was lying nearby, but he was soon pronounced deceased.

Firefighters needed only minutes to bring the inferno under control, but the camper was left a charred hulk. Polk Fire Rescue did not release the name of the individual or individuals who had extricated the victim from the flames.

The name of the victim has not yet been released pending notification of family members. The Red Cross was reportedly notified and will offer aid to the family, No PCFR members sustained injuries in battling the blaze.

Courtesy Polk Fire Rescue

The interior of the camper was charred beyond recognition in the fatal Monday fire.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal office.