Follow-Up: Woman Dies From Injuries Suffered in Condo Fire, Says Report

We have new information about a fire that happened in Palm Harbor one year ago today. 

Palm Harbor firefighters were called to a blaze on Aug. 7, 2012, inside a townhouse at 2707 11th Court in the Wedgewood Condominium complex. 

Firefighters responded to the call around 12:42 p.m. and rescued Patricia Crawford, 67, who had collapsed on the floor in the kitchen on the lower level of the two story townhouse. 

A fire report recently obtained by Palm Harbor Patch described what happened.

"Upon arrival, the fire department found one of the occupants standing near the entrance to the townhouse. Black heavy smoke was coming out the front entry door. The fire crew was notified that an occupant was still inside. 

During the primary search for the victim, the crew noticed the fire was contained to the living room area and was in the smoldering stage. The victim was located in the kitchen area and removed from the structure to waiting personnel for treatment," said the report. 

Crawford's daughter Stacy, 45, lived with her mother and helped to care for her. On the day of the fire, she described what happened.

"I was only gone 15 minutes. ... When I left, she was watching the news and drinking coffee."

Crawford said she called 911 after returning home from a trip to the post office.

"I opened the front door and all this smoke just hit me," she said.

"I screamed my mom's name, but she wouldn't answer. I couldn't see anything. I couldn't breathe."

Crawford says she takes care of her mother at the condo.

Crawford was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital with burns on 50 percent of her body. She died a few days after the fire, according to Palm Harbor Fire Rescue Spokeswoman Liz Monforti.

The fire report said the fire was thought to have been started by a cigarette in the living room. 

"The initial investigation found the fire started near and around the seating area of the living room. The ignition source is under investigation and appears to be related to tobacco products," said the report.

Related-

• Woman Critically Injured in Condo Fire 

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