Elderly Woman Dies Following Dunedin House Fire On Thanksgiving

DUNEDIN, FL — An 82-year-old woman has died following a Thanksgiving morning fire that swept through her apartment in a subdivided home in Dunedin.

On Thursday at 9:13 a.m., Pinellas County sheriff's deputies responded to a fire at 1695 Lakeview Lane, Apartment D, in Dunedin where they found 82-year-old Patricia Mitchell laying outside her apartment, according to a sheriff's report.

See related story: 1 Person In Serious Condition Following Thanksgiving Fire In Dunedin

She was taken to the hospital while deputies remained on the scene as the Dunedin Fire Rescue fought the blaze. Several hours later Mitchell was pronounced dead at the hospital, the sheriff's office said.

Homicide and burglary detectives are investigating the fire. They said a neighbor called 911 shortly before 9:13 a.m. after hearing Mitchell call for help. The neighbor was able to pull Mitchell from the doorway of her apartment.

According to detectives, the main door to the residence was open, but the screen door was closed at the time Mitchell called for help. Detectives said the fire appears to be accidental but are continuing their investigation.

The Pinellas County Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.