Lehigh Acres family left homeless after duplex fire

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla.- A duplex fire has left a family homeless just two days before Christmas.

The fire started around 11 a.m. Tuesday in the kitchen of the home on Albany Avenue. Investigators tell WINK News they believe it was caused by an electrical malfunction near the stove.

There were five people in the house at the time of fire, including two young children. The residents were all able to make it out safely.

Fire officials say the right side of the duplex, where the fire first broke out, is likely a total loss.

“I was sleeping and woke up to my mom pounding on the door saying the house was on fire,” said Dana Levatino. “Just went up in flames, half the kitchen was gone… there was no way we could do anything at that point.”

“I ran into the house trying to stop it. I ran to my house to get a bowl, but by the time I got back, it was, it was too late,” said Michael Levatino.

Outside the home firefighters gave oxygen to the family’s cats, all five of which made it out safely.
Levatino’s mother cut her hand reaching through a window she broke trying to rescue one of the cats.

“She hit it with a garbage can, and then she put her hand through to try to get it,” said Michael.

“It was my worst nightmare, my mother was in the ambulance and there was blood all over her hand,” said Debbe Vitale. “She’s a mess, she’s on disability, she’s been through a lot in life. This is the absolute worst you can deal with in her circumstance.”

“We’re just at a loss to why this would happen. Why does anyone deserve to lose their house right before Christmas?” said Dana Levatino.

Levatino’s sister lives nearby and she said the family will stay with her until they get everything figured out.