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Woman Led Out Of Burning Home In Town 'N Country

Tribune photo by Candace C. Mundy

Rescuers assist Rosa Rodriguez, an elderly woman who was at home when a fire broke out at her residence at 8401 Seven Coves Court early Friday afternoon.

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By STEPHEN HAMMILL | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 25, 2008

Updated: 01/25/2008 02:51 pm

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - An elderly woman was assisted from her home by a neighbor when the woman's house off Waters Avenue, about a mile west of the Veterans Expressway, caught fire around 1 p.m. today.

Hillsborough County Fire and Rescue units responded to the fire at 8401 Seven Coves Court this afternoon and had the blaze under control within 30 minutes.

The resident, Rosa Rodriguez, was taken to St Joseph's Hospital for treatment of burns to the face and smoke inhalation. Battalion Chief Ernie Wargo described her condition as "not serious."

Ten trucks responded to the call. Fire damage to the house was extensive. No other homes were damaged.

By the time firefighters arrived, Rodriguez was walking out of the house, assisted by her neighbor, Luis Perez, of 8404 Seven Coves Court. Perez said he saw smoke rising from the house and immediately entered through a rear entrance, where he found Rodriguez.

"I pulled her out of there," he said. "She didn't want to go. She kept saying, 'My pictures, my pictures!' " Fire officials said Rodriguez is in her late 60s.

Rodriguez's daughter arrived at the scene after the fire was contained and was notified by fire officials of her mother's condition.

Chief Wargo said the cause of the fire, which started in the daughter's bedroom, is unknown and under investigation.

Reporter Stephen Hammill can be reached at (813) 865-1523 or shammill@tampatrib.com.

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