Elderly Couple Dies After Being Taken Out Of Burning Home

MULBERRY, FL — An elderly couple died early Wednesday morning after being taken out of their burning home by firefighters.

Eighty-six-year-old Carl Caldwell and his wife, 80-year-old Denise Caldwell, were taken by Polk County Fire Rescue to Bartow Regional Medical Center where they both died of their injuries, according to the sheriff's office.

Carrie Horstman of the Polk County Sheriff's Office said the agency is conducting a death investigation into the deaths of the couple. They lived in the 3900 block of Willis Road in Mulberry.

Horstman said a neighbor reported the fire shortly before midnight Tuesday and told emergency personnel that the couple lived in the home.

The State Fire Marshal will investigate the cause of the fire, according to Horstman, who said the Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.

"Preliminarily nothing at the scene appears to be suspicious," Horstman added.