FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Three people, including a 7-year-old child, were killed overnight Wednesday in a mobile home fire in Fort Pierce, authorities said.
The St. Lucie County Fire District said emergency crews responded to a mobile home in the 4000 block of North U.S. 1 at approximately 2:30 a.m. and found the property engulfed in flames.
Three people made it out safely, but the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office said three others were tragically found dead inside the mobile home. Sheriff Keith Pearson said they were 7, 26 and 48 years old.
WPTV Reporter Zitlali Solache spoke with Joeseph Hamilton, who lived in the home, in an exclusive interview.
Hamilton said his 48-year-old girlfriend, her 26-year-old daughter, and the daughter's 7-year-old son passed away. He did not want to identify their names at this time.
He's recounting the harrowing moments from Wednesday morning.
"Waking up at 2 in the morning, my trailer felt like it was 150 degrees in there," Hamilton said. "I started hollering and calling the kids names."
Hamilton stood beside his two children Wednesday afternoon, expressing his devastation. The three managed to get out of the burning home.
"I feel sad," Hamilton said. "I feel like everything that took me 5 to 6 years to build, was taken from me in less than 12 hours."
Fort Pierce
Neighbor remembers victims of Fort Pierce mobile home fire
WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE?
Pearson added the preliminary investigation has revealed the cause of the fire was likely electrical.
"There's nothing insinuating anything criminal in nature. This appears to be a tragic incident," Pearson told WPTV News journalist Briana Nespral.
Pearson said a family of six lived in the mobile home.
Some residents told WPTV reporter Jon Shainman they didn't even know about the blaze until they woke up and saw the devastation.
WPTV is working to get more answers on what happened. The sheriff said this is a reminder to make sure you have working smoke detectors and a family escape plan.
The St. Lucie County Fire District is still working this case. WPTV also reached out to the St. Lucie County School District regarding the 7-year-old, but because a name has not been released yet, they can't make a comment or statement.
The family’s advocate, Christa Stone, has started a GoFundMe campaign with the money going towards burial costs, as well as getting the surviving members new belongings and a new home.
“Right now, I do have a son,” shared Hamilton. “I have a little bit of help.”
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