Lakeland, Fla. (970 WFLA) - Fire destroyed a home and left someone dead inside Friday night, Polk County Fire Rescue said. Flames had engulfed the single-story home at 13802 Rockridge Road by the time firefighters arrived just after 7 p.m. The home sat several hundred yards off the road, which made it harder to get water to it.
The Auburndale Fire Department sent a crew to help get water to the scene, according to a news release from PCFR. It took until nearly 9:30 before firefighters could get inside and find the body. The news release did not include the name of the person who died. Records from the Polk County Property Appraiser indicate that the home is owned by James A. and Loretta K. Pickard.