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Woman Dies In House Fire After Trying To Rescue Dog

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Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Published: October 12, 2008

SARASOTA COUNTY - A Sarasota woman and her dog died in a house fire Friday night that likely started because the family did not have power and was using candles to see, authorities said.

Sarasota County fire officials said Candace Chapas, 55, died in the fire in the home she was renting at 2902 Woodpine Circle. Her husband, Walter Chapas, 55, suffered minor injuries.

The fire started about 9 p.m. Fire officials say they found the woman and the family dog dead inside the home.

Witnesses said Candace Chapas got out of the house but then went back inside to try to rescue the dog. Both she and the pet died.

The family had been using candles because their power had been shut off, authorities said.

The neighbor tried and the Chapases tried to extinguish the flames but they quickly got out of control.

At one point, firefighters had to back out of the house because the roof gave way.

The state fire marshal is investigating.

Firefighters returned to the house Saturday, while curious neighbors walked to the property, taking photos and looking inside. The front entrance was turned into a charred black gaping entrance into the 2,000-square-foot home.

The couple had been renting the house for several years and had recently had trouble paying the rent on time, the owner of the home said.

"She was a nice, kind, lovely woman," Stuart Scheckner said. "He was a hardworking man."

The two-bedroom, two-bath home was built in 1980.

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