James Bolender,Valerie Bolender Obituary, Death; – A couple in their 60s were identified as the victims of a deadly Aug. 12 modular home fire in Auburndale in The Hamptons golf community in western Auburndale.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, which is conducting the death investigation, said in an Aug. 13 news release that James Bolender, 67, and Valerie Bolender, 63, died in the early afternoon fire.
“No foul play, injury, nor trauma was observed; their injuries were consistent with a fire-related death,” the release said. The Sheriff’s Office said the State Fire Marshal will determine the cause of the fire, but early indications are it was accidental.
A neighbor reported the fire via 911 at 1:23 p.m. Aug. 12. Polk County Fire Rescue crews were originally dispatched to an explosion but upon arrival noted it was a modular home fire along with a fully involved golf cart and a partially involved vehicle, according to Nathaniel Gale, a public information officer for PCFR.
Firefighters split duties, some working to get the fire under control as others started a dramatic search for the residents. the Bolendars were found and removed from the home but were declared dead at the scene.
