Bartow, Fla. (Aug. 12, 2025) — Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) along with Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) and the Florida State Fire Marshal’s office worked a house fire with two fatalities on Gladiola Drive in Auburndale on Tuesday afternoon. Crews were originally dispatched to an explosion but upon arrival noted it was a working modular home fire along with a fully involved golf cart and a partially involved vehicle.
PCFR members acted quickly getting water on the fire within minutes of being on scene. Crews split duties as they worked on getting the fire under control while other firefighters simultaneously initiated a primary search of the residence where they found and extricated two individuals. The two individuals were later pronounced dead at the scene.
“It’s always sad when deaths occur during emergency situations. My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of the individuals that passed,” said Polk County Fire Chief Shawn Smith.
PCSO and the Florida State Fire Marshal’s office are investigating the incident.