NEW SMYRNA BEACH — A 79-year-old woman overcome by smoke from flames inside her home in the Century Woods subdivision early this morning was being treated at Bert Fish Medical Center where her condition was said to be much improved, a fire department official said later in the day.
A dog perished in the 6:13 a.m. fire that caused extensive damage inside the front of the home in a cul-de-sac at 515 Curlew Ave, which is a short distance from Enterprise Road in the western side of the city. Even though the house looks fine on the outside, the fire was nasty inside and took 30 minutes to extinguish, New Smyrna
Beach Fire Department spokesman Randy Wright said.
Firefighters did not release the woman's name, but neighbors identified her as "Sue." The home is owned by Sue Cushing, according to Volusia County Appraiser's Office.
The woman was unconscious when firefighters arrived and after safely getting her out, managed to save a second dog, which was being cared for by a neighbor.
A neighbor said the woman was smoking in her living room at the time, which may have sparked the blaze, but Wright said he couldn't confirm that. The state Fire Marshall's Office is investigating.