Sheriff’s Major Crimes detectives and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are working together to investigate a death in a structure fire on Big Pine Key Thursday night.
A 71 year old man died in the fire, which burned his home located at the 31 mile marker of the highway on Avenue B, Big Pine Key. The fire was reported to Sheriff’s dispatchers at 9:11 p.m. When Deputy Austin Hopp arrived at 9:15 p.m., he attempted entry to the building, but intense fire and smoke prevented him from going inside. Monroe County Firefighters arrived minutes later and had the fire extinguished a short time later.
The State Fire Marshal is on the way to the scene to investigate; Sheriff’s Major Crimes detectives are already on scene. All agencies involved will be working together to determine the cause of the fire as well as the cause of the death.
The name of the victim will be released after notification of next of kin is complete.