On Saturday March 24 at approximately 11:15 pm the Levy County Sheriff’s Office and the Levy County Department
of Public Safety (DPS), along with multiple fire units responded to 11830 NE 81
Terrace to multiple 911 calls about a structure fire. Fire and law enforcement officials
arrived to find a single wide mobile home fully engulfed in flames. Witnesses
on scene told responding units that there was still a person inside the home. This
person, identified as 79 year old Bronson resident Felix Shackelford, was
unable to escape and did succumb to the fire.
Witness reported Shackelford had been working on a propane
space heater earlier in the day and when he lit it, it exploded. Shackelford
attempted to extinguish the flames and was trapped inside the home. His wife,
Margaret, was able to escape. Their son, Author Carroza, had been working on a
vehicle in the yard and had taken the vehicle on a test run when the fire
started. He attempted to gain entry into the home after the fire started, but
was not able to locate his father inside due to the extreme heat.
The Florida State Fire Marshal responded to assist in the investigation
with the LCSO. The fire has been deemed accidental. The Red Cross has been
contacted and is assisting the family.