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Young girls injured in bed fire expected to recover

Times Staff Writer
Published June 18, 2004

ST. PETERSBURG - Two children were injured Thursday when a cigarette caused a fire in their apartment.

The girls, 1 and 4, are expected to recover. The younger girl was flown to Tampa General Hospital with serious burns on her face, arm and leg, said St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue Lt. Rick Feinberg.

The fire was reported at 3:48 a.m. at 1051 Third Ave N. Feinberg said the girls' mother, Karin Bell, put the children to bed about 10 p.m. and returned to check on them. Bell either dropped or left a burning cigarette on the bed, and it smoldered. The 4-year-old girl was taken to Bayfront Medical Center for smoke inhalation.

No charges were filed.

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