HOBE SOUND, Fla. (CBS12) — The woman who died shortly after Martin County Fire Rescue pulled her from her burning home in Hobe Sound has been identified.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office says 46-year-old Misty White died at the hospital after a fire broke out at her mobile home on Cactus Trail on June 29.
Officials believe an electrical issue may have sparked the fire.
Neighbors say they are still struggling to process what happened.
“It’s sad, very sad,” said one neighbor who didn’t want to be identified.
That neighbor said they used to be close.
“She seemed to be a nice person,” she said. “I met her just one day out of the blue because I was outside.”
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Photos from the scene show heavy damage inside the mobile home. Soot can be seen covering a bed and floor inside one of the rooms.
Martin County Fire Rescue says crews were called to the home after a neighbor saw heavy smoke coming from the windows and doors and called 911.
Firefighters quickly went into the home and found White unconscious inside.
“Within minutes, they were able to find the victim that was inside,” said District Fire Chief Joshua Shell. “They pulled the victim out of structure and immediately started CPR.”
White was rushed to the hospital where she later died.
“So tragic that that happened,” a neighbor said. “I can’t imagine the family, what they’re going through.”
White’s sister also thanked first responders on Martin County Fire Rescue’s Facebook page, writing, “Thank you to all the first responders that helped my sister.”
Investigators believe an older electrical system likely sparked the fire.
“When you get into mobile homes, especially older ones like this one, stuff starts to deteriorate”
The fire chief also noted there were no smoke detectors in the home.
Neighbors say the tragedy has shaken the tight-knit Hobe Sound community.
“Hobe Sound is pretty tight knit and everybody will come together and hopefully surround this family and be there for one another,” another neighbor said.
Fire officials say the home was badly damaged in the fire and consider it a total loss.
Fire investigators are reminding people to have electrical systems inspected regularly and ensure working smoke detectors are installed.