Woman found dead in "suspicious" Deerfield Beach duplex fire, investigators say
DEERFIELD BEACH - An investigation is underway after a woman's body was found in a burning Deerfield Beach duplex early Friday morning.
It happened in the 4300 block of NW 4 Avenue, which is just west of I-95 and north of Sample Road.
Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue said around 4:30 a.m. they received word of the fire and crews raced to the scene.
"Upon arrival, firefighters were faced with very, very heavy smoke and flames coming from one side of a duplex. They made a rapid entry, a rapid knockdown to the fire, and found one victim, deceased in a back bedroom," said Battalion Chief Michael Kane.
Firefighters were able to put the fire out in about 20 minutes. What caused it is unknown.
"At this time, the fire is considered suspicious in nature," said Kane.
Friends of the woman identified her as Paola Ribiero.
Alicia Baiocchi, who lives across the street, said she woke to a red sky.
"From my bedroom, you can see my front door and it has that little window on the top, and I could see flames to the sky. It was just orange. I thought it was in our driveway. I have six kids. We grabbed the newborn and put her in the car seat. When we ran outside, there were still no police or firefighters there. In just any second, any part of that could have landed on our driveway, God forbid there is any gasoline, it was intense," she said.
Several people who live on the other side of the duplex have been displaced. The Red Cross is assisting them.
The state fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.