     ACCORDING TO INITIAL POLICE INVESTIGATION, ON DECEMBER 23, 1996 AT 6:15 PM., A NEIGHBOR OF THE DECEASED SMELLED SMOKE AND OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE DOOR OF THE DECEASED'S RESIDENCE.  HE RESPONDED TO THE RESIDENCE AND FOUND THE DECEASED'S HUSBAND UNDER THE KITCHEN TABLE. HE CARRIED HIM OUTSIDE AND CALLED FIRE RESCUE.  FIRE RESCUE AND POLICE RESPONDED AND FOUND THE DECEASED'S HUSBAND SUFFERING FROM BURNS TO HIS UPPER EXTREMITIES. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO JACKSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, WHERE HE LATER EXPIRED ON DECEMBER 24,1996 AT 6:47 AM. - SEE M.E.CASE 96-3265.
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    FIRE RESCUE TRANSPORTED THE DECEASED TO AVENTURA HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER, WHERE SHE WAS ADMITTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AT 7:11 PM., ORALLY INTUBATED, WITH DECREASING MENTAL STATUS, WITH SOOT ON FACE AND SINGED FACIAL HAIR, BLACK NARES AND ORAL CAVITY. WAS INITIALLY ALERT AND ORIENTED TIMES THREE BUT RAPIDLY DETERIORATED AND WAS ADMITTED TO THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT. FOR THE REST OF HER HOSPITAL COURSE, SHE REMAINED VENTILATOR DEPENDENT, HER CONDITION DETERIORATING UNTIL DECEMBER 28,1997 WHEN SHE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT 4:37 AM.