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Woman Hospitalized After Tampa House Fire

News Channel 8 photo by JAMES FARQUHAR

A Tampa Police Department investigator takes pictures of the damage from a house fire in Tampa today. The fire apparently was caused when a portable radio malfunctioned and melted.

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By LINDSAY PETERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 27, 2008

Updated: 11/27/2008 07:52 pm

TAMPA - The Tampa Fire Marshal has identified the woman injured in a house fire earlier today at 1915 E. 18th Ave. She is Francis Baker, 85, and she is still being treated at Tampa General Hospital for severe smoke inhalation.

The fire marshal's office continues to investigate the incident, but says it appears that a portable radio on the stove top had an electrical failure, causing the radio to melt and fill the small house with thick black smoke. Most of the damage to the house was caused by smoke, not fire. Investigators did not find a smoke alarm in the house.

Damages were estimated at $45,000.

Tampa firefighters found her unconscious about 4 p.m. in the house, which was filled with smoke from top to bottom, said Tampa Fire Rescue spokesman Bill Wade. They treated her at the scene and transported her to Tampa General Hospital in critical condition.

The fire was under control in about 30 minutes, no other injuries were reported.

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