LAKELAND, Fla. — Polk County fire Capt. James Williams has been placed on administrative duty while a fatal November fire is investigated.

Williams first came under scrutiny when it was learned he'd taken video with his cell phone of the fire that killed Lorretta Pickard at her rural log cabin-style home north of Lakeland. He was suspended for 24 hours for the incident.

Pickard was actually on the phone with 911 from inside her home after firefighters arrived.

Williams told an investigator he took the video with his cell phone after fire trucks had run out of water and nothing could be done to save Pickard. He sent the video to several people using the Snapchat app.

Taking and sending the video were violations of Polk Fire Rescue policy. 

Family members have said they don’t believe enough was done to save Pickard’s life. Several appeared before county commissioners Tuesday to express their concerns. 

"We do not know what happened that night, but we would like to know the truth, the complete truth," goddaughter Heath Tuck told commissioners. "No matter how ugly it might be."

Commission Chairman George Lindsey promised a thorough investigation.

"Specifically that day. The timeline of who did what and who failed to do what," he said. 

Commissioners have directed the county manager to hire an outside organization to investigate the response of all county organizations to the fire. 

"As quickly as possible," said Lindsey about a timeline for the investigation. He thought it might take 60 days.

"But I said I want it done expeditiously, but I don’t want it rushed. Take the time it needs to do it thoroughly," he said. 

Lindsey said county manager Jim Freeman was reviewing one proposal from an outside firm and expected another proposal Tuesday afternoon. It would be Freeman's decision about what organization was picked to conduct the investigation.