7-YEAR-OLD DIES IN MOBILE HOME FIRE; 2 OTHERS HURT
Home north of Palm Springs ‘fully involved in flames.’
PALM SPRINGS — One child died and two were injured in an early-morning fire at a mobile home “fully involved in flames” north of Palm Springs, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff ’s Office and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.
Authorities say a neighbor alerted a homeowner that his residence was on fire while he and his children were sleeping. The adults broke the glass of a rear window and pulled out two children, ages 8 and 9. The third child, 7, was pronounced dead on scene.
The two surviving children sustained severe burns and were taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center before being transferred to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, according to the Sheriff ’s Office.
Firefighters put out the fire and prevented the spread of flames to other homes, Fire Rescue said.
The home, at Holiday Ranch Mobile Home Park, north of Forest Hill Boulevard and along South Military Trail, was left covered in ash and still smelled of smoke 10 hours later. The fire destroyed walls and left the roof unsupported in the center above what was the living room.
Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire, according to the Sheriff ’s Office. An autopsy will determine the cause of death of the 7-year-old.
Neighbors told The Post’s news partner WPTV Channel 5 that others in the area tried to save the children before Fire Rescue arrived.
“It’s shocking because you want to be a hero, you want to be saving people’s lives, but when it’s something that dangerous, you’re risking your life for sure. Things are happening in a matter of seconds,” said Cesar Morales, a neighbor.