A Weston doctor has died after a mansion fire in Plantation early Thursday, according to authorities.
The fire broke out near NW 124th Avenue and NW 23rd Court in Plantation Acres. The Plantation Fire Department received reports of heavy smoke at around 3:44 a.m.
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Fire crews at the scene confirmed that a resident was taken to the hospital, where she died. She was the only one home at the time of the fire.
Aerial images showed a sprawling property, and what appeared to be a gas canister near the front door, which had been burned.
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Plantation Police confirmed they are treating the fire as a death investigation and are interviewing several people.
Neighbors told NBC6 that the victim was Karen Ruthman, who is a doctor in Weston, and that she lived with her husband, also a doctor. Neighbors identified him as Barrington Murray, a gynecologist.
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Property records show the home is listed to Karen Elizabeth Ruthman. A search for that name brings up a family medicine physician in Weston.
“Pretty much a happy couple as far as I know, I’ve known them for 10 years," said Noel True, who showed up to the home Thursday to do construction work. "Kinda shocked right now because I’m coming to work at this house, and I’m calling him and not getting him, so I’m shocked."
It was not immediately clear what may have caused the flames, but Battalion Chief Cary Blanchard said they appeared to have started on the first floor.
Ruthman's Weston office was closed Thursday, and colleagues were too distraught to comment.
