Fire, explosions damage Clearwater duplex

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

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A 70-year-old woman was able to escape with her dogs.

PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- A fire and a series of explosions damaged a Clearwater duplex Monday afternoon.

The duplex is located in the 1100 block of Grove Street in Clearwater.

Arliene Fischer, 70, was inside the house when the fire started. She was able to escape with her dogs but her duplex is a total loss.

"I'll be fine. God takes care of me," she said.

Fischer says she was doing some laundry when her dryer caught on fire.

"I was going to put the dryer on last night before I went to bed," she said. "I usually do that every so often and then something told me no - don't turn the dryer on."

Fire officials said the house was fully engulfed in flames. They were able to get the fire under control about an hour after they arrived at the scene.

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As responding units arrived, they witnessed two explosions, which they believe were caused by two oxygen tanks inside the residence.

The explosions were also heard by police officers in the area and other city employees in nearby downtown offices.

The other resident, Sheryl Salmon, and her 12-year-old son, were not home at the time of the fire. They have one cat that has not been located at this time.