DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – An arson investigation is underway after firefighters said the Daytona Beach house fire they spotted Monday morning was intentionally set in multiple rooms in the home by someone using matches.
Daytona Beach firefighters said they were returning to the station around 8:30 a.m. when they saw smoke from a house fire in the Pelican Bay neighborhood. The fire hadn't been reported at the time.
When crews arrived at the Tropic Bird Court home, they found a woman lying on the ground in front of the house. Firefighters carried her to safety and she was taken to a hospital.
"She was out here on the sidewalk -- laying down on the sidewalk, flat," neighbor Carl Peters said. "(Everyone) came over and tried to comfort her."
He said the woman suffered smoke inhalation and burns on her hands from trying to open doors with hot doorknobs.
Investigators said fires were discovered in the living room, kitchen and a bedroom. Firefighters found multiple points of origin throughout the house, the Daytona Beach Fire Department said.
Firefighters contained the blaze and prevented it from spreading to nearby homes.
The woman's current condition was unknown as of Monday evening.
Firefighters were told that a husband and wife were renting the single-family home. The husband was not home when firefighters arrived.
The fire is being investigated by the state fire marshal as arson.
Officials estimated the damage to the home at $40,000.
