Community reacts to fatal house fire in Brunswick County
BRUNSWICK COUNTY (WWAY) — Two children have died after a mobile home fire early Thursday morning in the City of Northwest.
Children’s toys and play equipment still sit in this yard, a reminder of the two young lives lost here.
“It’s hard knowing that they’re not here no more, and can’t watch their beautiful smiling faces anymore,” said Rosemary Martinez.
Rosemary Martinez lives across the street from this home on Grist Creek Wynd. She made the initial call to 911.
“Mom hollered ‘Call fire,’ and I was already calling at the time to let them know the address and that we still had two small children that were inside,” said Martinez.
The Northwest Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, along with other Brunswick County crews, responded to the fire around 5:15 Thursday morning.
Martinez says just the day before, the neighborhood was filled with the sound of children playing.
“I just watched both of them yesterday whenever I, before leaving for my grandbaby’s play group.”
Five people were inside the home when the fire broke out.
The mother, father, and one child were taken to the hospital.
A one-and-a-half-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl died in the fire.
“He has, always smiling, always happy, wanted to always play. I watched her yesterday playing on the scooter, learning how to ride the scooter, with Grandpa out there watching her, and I sit here on my front porch watching her, but she was going back and forth there, having her a good ‘ole time. Always happy, they always come over here to play with my grandbaby here in the front yard,” said Martinez.
Now, as the community grieves, Martinez says neighbors are ready to rally around the family.
“My condolences to both of them, even to the grandparents. It’s going to be tough, and I understand and respect that they’re going to need time to mourn and adjust, and we’re all here to help them with anything they need help with.”
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, but investigators say preliminary information indicates the fire may have started on the front porch.
The SBI is also investigating.
