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Accidental Fire Destroys Home

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By STEPHEN HAMMILL, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 2, 2008

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - An elderly woman and her daughter are looking for answers after a fire destroyed their home last week.

"Nothing is salvageable," Maria Rodriguez said as she removed charred items from 8401 Seven Coves Court, now boarded up.

She lived there with her mother, Rosa Rodriguez, 77. The two are staying with family in the area while they wait for word on insurance claims.
State fire marshals overseeing the investigation have declared the fire an accident, with damage estimated at $160,000.

"It could have been a faulty wire or something like that," said Samuel Benzeio, public information officer for the state fire marshal.

Ten firetrucks and rescue vehicles responded to the 911 call the afternoon of Jan. 25. It took about 30 minutes to control the blaze at the house off Waters Avenue about a mile west of the Veterans Expressway.

A neighbor helped Rosa Rodriquez, who was alone, from the house before firefighters arrived. She was taken to St Joseph's Hospital for treatment of facial burns and smoke inhalation and released that day.

Her daughter said she will have to see more doctors this week, but the injuries are more emotional than physical.

"It's very hard for her - for both of us," she said.

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

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