Current:Home > Invest5 kids home alone die in fire as father is out Christmas shopping, police say -Streamline Finance
5 kids home alone die in fire as father is out Christmas shopping, police say
View
Date:2025-04-13 16:54:13
Five children left alone by the father of four of them when he went out Christmas and grocery shopping died when a fire raced through their two-story duplex Saturday evening, police in Bullhead City, Arizona said. All five were grandchildren of a local fire department employee, police said. Neighbors said they tried their best to get inside to get anyone who was there out, but couldn't.
A 13-year-old boy, 5-year-old boy, 4-year-old girl and 2-year-old boy, all brothers and sisters who lived there, and an 11-year-old boy relative who was visiting all perished, police said, adding that were in the same upstairs bedroom.
Firefighters arrived four minutes after the blaze was called in, police said.
According to police, the early investigation showed that the flames started in the downstairs foyer, which probably made it impossible for the children upstairs to flee. The fire traveled up the only staircase inside the home, keeping them from getting out.
The identifies of the five were being withheld pending official identification by the Mohave County Medical Examiner's Office.
Police said that, because of the relationship between the fire department worker and the children, investigators from the Lake Havasu City (Ariz.) Fire Department and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) were called in to assist them with the probe and are the ones trying to figure out how the blaze started.
According to police, several neighbors reportedly tried rescue efforts, including placing an extension ladder to the upstairs bedroom.
CBS Phoenix affiliate KPHO-TV reports that Bullhead City is a relatively small and close-knit community. "Tight knit, everybody looks out for each other," neighbor Patrick O'Neal remarked to the station. "Those of us with kids look out for all the other kids in the neighborhood."
Neighbors like O'Neal rushed when they saw the flames. "We came around the corner and we saw the smoke coming up so we knew it was right here," he said.
About a dozen men gathered hoses and broke windows to try to get into the home, O'Neal told KPHO. "We pulled the garage door open, there was guys pulling stuff out," O'Neal said. "The closer we got to the door there was smoke starting to come into the garage and choking people out."
O'Neal said they knew children lived here but didn't know if they were home. "We were screaming at the top of our lungs," he said. "We didn't see nothing, we didn't hear nothing. There's many guys out here who would've went into that fire if we would have known there was children."
Neighbors said they were still shaken up but appreciated those who stepped up. "We did everything we could and thank you to everyone that did try to help," O'Neal said.
- In:
- Fire
veryGood! (1837)
Related
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- ACL injury doesn't have to end your child's sports dream. Here's 5 tips for full recovery
- Iris Apfel, fashion icon known for her eye-catching style, dies at 102
- Rust assistant director breaks down in tears while testifying about fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins
- FBI: California woman brought sword, whip and other weapons into Capitol during Jan. 6 riot
- Queen Camilla Taking a Break From Royal Duties After Filling in for King Charles III
- You'll Want to Check Out Justin Bieber's New Wax Figure More Than One Time
- What is Super Tuesday? Why it matters and what to watch
- Clay Aiken's son Parker, 15, makes his TV debut, looks like his father's twin
- Lynette Woodard talks Caitlin Clark's scoring record, why she's so excited for what's next
Ranking
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Texas Panhandle wildfires leave dead animals everywhere as agricultural commissioner predicts 10,000 dead cattle
- Driver crashes SUV into Michigan Walmart, leaving multiple people injured
- Hungry for Some Good Eats? Kate Hudson, Francia Raisa and More Stars Reveal Their Go-To Snacks
- Billy Bean was an LGBTQ advocate and one of baseball's great heroes
- For an Indigenous woman, discovering an ancestor's remains mixed both trauma and healing
- CVS and Walgreens to start dispensing the abortion pill in states where it's legal
- Is whole wheat bread actually healthier? Here’s what experts say.
Recommendation
A Georgia governor’s latest work after politics: a children’s book on his cats ‘Veto’ and ‘Bill’
Texas Panhandle wildfires leave dead animals everywhere as agricultural commissioner predicts 10,000 dead cattle
As Texas crews battle largest wildfire in state history, more fire weather ahead: Live updates
New Giants manager Bob Melvin gets his man as team strikes deal with third baseman Matt Chapman
The 'Rebel Ridge' trailer is here: Get an exclusive first look at Netflix movie
Wendy's pricing mind trick and other indicators of the week
Thomas Kingston's Cause of Death Revealed
After nearly a decade, Oprah Winfrey is set to depart the board of WeightWatchers