WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — Investigators with Pasco County Fire Rescue say two people have died after a fire destroyed a mobile home located on Penny Royal Road in Wesley Chapel on Monday.
One elderly man had initially suffered severe burns and was airlifted to a local trauma center, but died of his injuries.
“There was fire coming out of all four sides of this house. Every window, every door," said Pasco Fire Chief Shawn Whitead.
Neighbor Chris Cayer says he didn’t know the elderly couple well, but when he heard explosions this morning he ran to them.
That’s when he says saw the man blown out of the home.
“That was a blast. He was in shock because he wasn’t even screaming. And there was 12 inch flames,” he said.
Cayer says he and others tried to put those flames out, even using the shirt off his back to do it.
“I’m still blown away. It’s indescribable and my arms are still burnt from trying to put his face out,” he said.
The fire was so powerful, crews couldn’t go inside.
When they did put it out, they eventually found a woman dead.
The man was sent via Bayflight to a hospital with severe burns.
“I wish I could have put him out sooner. I don’t know if he made it," said Cayer.
Investigators are still looking into the cause and what those explosions came from.
They say a dog also died in the fire.
