Victims identified: Father, son killed in house fire near Longwood, officials say

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A father and son died in a house fire in Seminole County early Sunday morning.

The victims were identified as Donald Ames, 74, and Daniel Ames, 50, the Sheriff's Office said.

Firefighters arrived before 6 a.m. at the home on Nicole Lane in an unincorporated area of Longwood.

A woman inside the home smelled smoke and got out of the house before calling 911, firefighters said.

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Paula Thompson, with the Seminole County Fire Department, described the scene fire crews were up against.

“When our crews arrived, there were heavy flames visible. They made entry, and they started searching,” Thompson said. “The fire was on one side of the house. You could see from the videos that there was heavy involvement.”

After running into the burning home, Thompson said firefighters found the men inside.

“One of the occupants was found in the master bedroom, and then the other was in the bedroom area, as well,” Thompson said.

Firefighters said one man was pronounced dead on the scene and the other was transported to the hospital where he died.

Debra Folsom lives next door and said this is a tight-knit community.

“Everybody kind of knows everybody, everybody reaches out,” Folsom said. “It could have been any of us, so it reminds that your life is precious.”

Thompson said this is the third fatal fire Seminole County has dealt with this year and the third and fourth fatalities.

The State Fire Marshal and Seminole County Fire Department are investigating the incident.

COMING UP: Tough to see the damage from this angle, but a deadly fire at this Seminole county home took the life of a father and son this morning. So sad. I’ll have the latest coming up on @WFTV at noon. pic.twitter.com/789yIurvKw
— Ashley Edlund (@AshleyEdlund) March 17, 2019

SCFD fatal fire update: Nicole Lane in unincorprated area of Longwood. Seminole County FD, Longwood FD and SCSO on scene. pic.twitter.com/glDyWOaKtT
— SCFD PIO Media (@scfdpio) March 17, 2019

SCFD on scene fatal residential fire. 1 adult female evacuated and called 911. Firefighters made entry under heavy fire conditions and located 2 adult males, both perished. Fire is out and currently in overhaul. Fire is being investigated by SCFD and State Fire Marshal. pic.twitter.com/3E3kkcTTt5
— SCFD PIO Media (@scfdpio) March 17, 2019