A camper parked in the yard of a home on Tree Street in Largo went up in flames early Sunday, and when crews put out the blaze, they found a body inside. Police and firefighters rushed to the 12313 block of Tree Street around 1:43 a.m. to find the small RV fully engulfed, according to officials. Two people were treated at the scene, but no injuries were reported among them.
The response fell to the Pinellas Park Police Department, even though the address sits within Largo city limits, as reported by Tampa Bay 28.
Once flames were knocked down, investigators discovered a deceased person inside the camper. Detectives and the State Fire Marshal's Office are now investigating the fire together, the outlet's report notes, and police say the blaze appears to have been accidental. The identity of the person who died has not been released publicly, and the investigation remains active.
State Fire Marshal Joins Investigation
Section 633.112 of the Florida Statutes says the State Fire Marshal shall investigate upon request when there is probable cause to believe a fire resulted from carelessness or design, and describes local preliminary-investigation responsibilities, according to the Florida Statutes. The State Fire Marshal's Office is working alongside Pinellas Park detectives in the investigation.
How Common Are Fatal RV Fires
Nationally, fires like this one are not rare, even if they rarely make headlines. The U.S. Fire Administration estimates an average of 4,200 recreational vehicle fires occur annually across the country, resulting in roughly 15 civilian deaths, 125 injuries, and more than $60 million in direct property damage each year, per the U.S. Fire Administration.
A Rough Stretch for Largo Emergency Crews
The fatal fire adds to a difficult few weeks for public safety agencies working in and around Largo. Earlier that week, on Thursday, multiple emergency officers and medics in Largo were hospitalized following suspected narcotics exposure during a hazmat scare at a local apartment complex.
For now, the cause of the camper fire is still described only as appearing accidental, per police, and the identity of the person who died inside remains unreleased as the state fire marshal's office and Pinellas Park detectives continue their joint investigation.
