POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – A death investigation is underway after authorities said firefighters found someone dead after a fire occurred in a wooded area on Sunday in Broward County.
The death investigation involved both Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies and Pompano Beach Fire Rescue personnel in the area of Northeast 33 Court and Fifth Avenue in Pompano Beach.
An aerial view with Google Maps shows the wooded area is behind the Value Pawn & Jewelry, at 3181 Dixie Highway, and near two churches and a public school. It has paths and debris. A street view shows the surrounding fence is damaged.
Neighbors reported another fire occurring in the same field just a couple of weeks ago. No fatalities were reported following that previous fire.
Christen Rector, who witnessed Sunday’s fire, shared her thoughts about the fatal blaze.
“I’m hoping it’s an accident, being that I’m across the street,” she said.
Rector called 911 late Sunday morning after hearing what she described as “an explosion.”
“It was like three small explosions,” said Rector. “There was a big ball of fire and a lot of smoke.”
Rector shared a photo she took from her front porch, depicting dense black smoke rising from the brush beyond the fence, off Northeast 33rd and Fifth Avenue.
Deputies and Pompano Beach Fire Rescue later arrived to extinguish the fire. Subsequently, first responders discovered a deceased individual in the field.
Rector told Local 10 News that there were ongoing issues with people living in the area, setting up tents and making it their home. Garbage, including old tires and shopping carts, was scattered across the property.’
Rector also said that BSO homicide detectives visited her, seeking information.
Authorities have not announced any information about the victim’s age, gender or identity at this time.
Detectives asked anyone with information about this or other cases to call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.
Local 10 News digital journalist Andrea Torres contributed to this story.