St. Lucie County, FL — Tragedy struck early on the Fourth of July when a devastating house fire claimed the lives of two residents in St. Lucie County. The blaze, which engulfed a single-story home in the 3600 block of Avenue O, was reported shortly after 2:15 a.m., leading to a swift response from emergency services.
Sheriff Keith Pearson of the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office described the scene as fully engulfed in flames upon arrival, with the home’s roof collapsing under the intensity of the fire. The house was located west of North 25th Street, just south of Avenue Q in a residential neighborhood.
First responders found the house completely enveloped in flames, making immediate entry impossible. After extinguishing the fire, officials began a thorough investigation into the cause of the blaze and commenced recovery operations. Teams from the sheriff’s office, along with the state fire marshal’s office and the medical examiner’s office, were on-site to sift through the debris.
According to Pearson, the fire’s origin does not appear to be related to fireworks, as there were no significant reports of fireworks activity in the vicinity. Additionally, no neighboring structures were impacted by the fire.
The victims were later identified by a relative, Curlinda Sams, as her aunt and uncle, Charlene and Robert Cash. Sams reminisced about the couple, noting their reserved nature and their long-standing presence in the community. Robert, affectionally known as “Uncle Bob,” was a veteran and the family’s go-to mechanic, while Charlene was a retired caregiver who played a matriarchal role, even raising her husband’s grandchildren.
The couple had been pillars of the local community, where they resided for over three decades. Friends and neighbors described them as the hub of their family, well-loved and greatly respected.
As the investigation continued, sheriff Pearson pointed out that while two individuals were known to reside at the home, other family members and multiple pets frequented the house. Efforts to account for all possible occupants and pets were ongoing.
Officials remained on the scene well into the day, deploying a mobile command bus to coordinate the extensive investigative and recovery efforts. The objective was clear—to methodically examine each part of the charred structure to determine the fire’s cause and ensure that all victims were respectfully recovered and identified.
The local community has been left to mourn the tremendous loss of two of its members on a day typically celebrated across the country. The investigation into the exact cause of the fire is ongoing, as officials work diligently to provide closure for both the family and the community affected by this tragic event.