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Hernando Today

Woman Found Dead In Burned-Out Trailer

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By KYLE MARTIN

Published: June 12, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - A woman was found dead in the bedroom of a trailer home that was destroyed by a fast-moving fire Thursday afternoon.

Her identity and the source of the fire were details not immediately released by officials.

Smoke was first seen escaping the eaves of trailer No. 29 of the Tall Oaks Village about 2:15 p.m. Within five minutes, flames were peeking through roof and by 10 minutes, the home was completely consumed by fire, a witness said.

The landlord of the trailer park, directly across from Victoria's Steak House on U.S. 41, and another man braved the heat and made a brief search inside. The flames drove them back before they could get very far, said neighbor Danielle Whitehouse.

A strong wind threatened to spread the towering flames onto Whitehouse's home, so residents hosed down her roof. Whitehouse backed her car out of the carport, but the smoke was so thick it was hard to see.

"I was freaked out," she said.

The west side of the building took the brunt of the damage; the carport collapsed and took much of the paneling with it. Charred support beams, resembling black ribs, supported the roof.

Neighbors said the woman, whom they knew as Diane, lived with her son at the house. The medical examiner will likely determine the exact cause of death, but officials on scene predicted smoke inhalation.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.

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