LAKE ALFRED, Fla. (WFLA) — A man has died after a Lake Alfred mobile home caught fire Monday morning.
The Polk County Fire Rescue said the fire was reported in the Lake View RV Park on Highway 17 just before 2 a.m.
Due to the magnitude of the fire, crews said they were not able to search the home until the blaze was under control.
Once the flames were extinguished, crews said they went inside the home and found one person dead.
Family members and neighbors have identified the man as Dana Bateman, 63.
“He was a really nice guy. He’d help you do anything you needed. He was always very friendly,” said neighbor Jolee Johnson.
“He was a nice guy. He used to walk around, just walk around all day. Just walking through the parking lots and stuff, petting the cats. He was very friendly,” said Jessie Edwards. “I’m gonna miss him. I’m gonna really miss him.”
“Our thoughts go out to the family as they mourn the loss of their loved one,” said Fire Chief Hezedean A. Smith, D.M.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The investigation was turned over to the Florida State Fire Marshals Office and Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
