Deerfield Beach Duplex Fire Death: What We Know So Far

A Deerfield Beach duplex fire that left one woman dead is now being investigated as suspicious, according to NBC Miami. This is what we know so far.

Officials said firefighters responded around 4:30 a.m. and found heavy smoke and flames coming from one side of the duplex, according to NBC Miami. Crews found one woman dead in a back bedroom after battling the fire, and the adjacent family escaped safely, the report said.

The victim was identified by officials as Ana de Souza, while a family member identified her as 54-year-old Paula Ribeiro, according to NBC Miami. Authorities said the fire is considered suspicious and that the cause has not been released.

Battalion Chief Michael Kane said crews encountered heavy smoke and flames from one side of the duplex when they arrived, according to NBC Miami. Kane said, “At this time, the fire is considered suspicious in nature, but the cause of the fire is not being released at this time.”

Fire crews knocked down the blaze in about 20 minutes, according to the report. After the scene was cleared, the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives continued the investigation, NBC Miami reported.

Dispatch records show prior incidents at this address, including structure fires on June 3 and a fall injury the same day.

What happens next will likely depend on findings from the Broward Sheriff’s Office and ATF investigation. Officials have not released a cause, and no timeline for additional public updates was given in the available coverage.

Day.News will continue to update this story as officials release more information.

Related: Structure Fire Draws Emergency Response to 150 S Federal Hwy in Deerfield Beach