PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. – According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, three people died in a fire in East Palatka on Monday, including a 4-year-old.
One Putnam County firefighter was also injured in the fire but is expected to be OK, the Palatka Fire Department said.
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The fire broke out on North Maryland Avenue near Cynthia Street, and the Hernandez family, who lived in the home, told News4JAX that six people were inside when the fire broke out.
A 7-year-old girl, Eliza, a 1-year-old child, and the mother of one of the children, Carolina Gomez, are now in the hospital, the family said.
Two brothers, Fernando and Enrique, along with a 4-year-old boy, Angel Enrique Hernandez died in the fire, the family said.
State Fire Marshal Clu Wright said he has investigated some pretty bad fires during his career, however, he added that this one ranked with some of the worst.
“It definitely ranks up there as one of the worst with the large loss, but we’re going to treat it like every other fire and we’re going to investigate it like every other fire and give it the utmost attention,” Wright said.
The fire marshal adds that the fire appears to have begun in the foyer before spreading throughout the rest of the house.
The Hernandez family, who lived in the home, told News4JAX that six people were inside when the fire broke out, all family members.
Alice Crews owns the property and says the family of adults and children were good renters, but more importantly, good people who now need all the help they can get.
“Hopefully, with some help, we can get them into another house. They’re very nice people. I’ve known them for close to 10 years," Crews said.
One of the relatives who was also living here started this GoFundMe account to financially help his family, who now have medical bills, on top of funeral expenses.
Members of the American Red Cross were on scene to assist the family, but it may not be enough.
“There are about five members who need housing. They have absolutely nothing. They lost everything. Everything. Including family members,” Crews said.