1 woman dead, another hospitalized after Orange County house fire

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Investigators are trying to figure out what caused a deadly house fire near the 408 Expressway and Semoran Boulevard on Friday morning.

A woman is dead and another was hospitalized, according to Orange County firefighters.

Witnesses said they heard a loud explosion before the house on Dogwood Drive went up in flames.

"We walked down here and they were already in the front yard, with two bodies giving them mouth-to-mouth and pumping their chests," said witness Matt Hutchinson.

Firefighters said the women seemed to have collapsed inside after waking up to flames inside their burning home.

"I think one was by the front window and one was in the hallway, so it appeared maybe they were trying to get out," said Orange County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Laura Leigh Avery.

Neighbors said they heard a blast from behind the house before seeing the flames.

"There was a loud explosion in the back of the house and some guy came up and started banging on the door trying to wake them up," Hutchinson said.

The women were taken to separate hospitals, but witnesses said neither regained consciousness after the rescue.

"Didn't look good. They continued to keep pumping their heart and chest as they loaded them up," said Hutchinson.

Officials said a dog that was inside the home died as well, and a firefighter was injured while battling the blaze.

The names of the victims were not released.

WFTV