10-Year-Old Milwaukee Boy Dies after Failing to Escape His Burning Home
The Milwaukee Police Department is investigating the house fire that broke out at 10:00 p.m. on Friday night. The circumstances surrounding the fatal fire are still unclear.
A fire ravaged a home on Florist Avenue on the northwest side of Milwaukee has left a family mourning the loss of a 10-year-old boy, Justin Williams, and their family dog.
The Milwaukee Police reported that the young boy lost his life in the flames and that the other people in the home when the fire occurred are receiving treatment for smoke inhalation.
Two firefighters putting a house fire out. | Source: Pexels/ Pixabay
TRAGIC LOSS
William's body was found next to his dog lying on the kitchen floor of the house that suffered severe damage in the fire. The young boy and his pet were unable to escape the flames because the doors were locked.
William's mother and 14-year-old sister were also inside the house when it went up in flames, but both of them could find their way to safety. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched for the single mother. The description reads:
"Tragically a ten year old boy, and one of their pet dogs lost their lives.I am hoping we can lessen the burden on this single mom."
DEAD AT THE SCENE
The Milwaukee Fire Department rushed to the Florist Avenue home and extinguished the fire as soon as possible. Once the flames were put out, the firefighters moved into the house, where they found Williams lying in the kitchen.
The little boy died on the third floor of the house on fire while his father was desperately trying to reach him from the roof.
The EMS on-site performed life-saving efforts on the 10-year-old boy, but they were unable to bring him back. Williams was pronounced dead on the scene.
MOURNING FAMILY
The firefighters found another dog alive in a crate in the home's basement, which is now in the care of neighbors. The late boy is remembered by his family for his love of their pets as his sister, Alexa Williams, recalled:
"[He was a] caring, energetic kid who liked to play with their three dogs and collect Pokemon cards."
Alexa revealed that the last time she spoke to her brother was on Friday night. He came to say goodnight to her in her room before he went to sleep; little did they know it would be their last conversation.
ANOTHER FIRE TRAGEDY
A New Jersey family is also navigating the loss of their 7-year-old son in a house fire. The little boy died on the third floor of the house on fire while his father desperately tried to reach him from the roof.
Two adults and three other children managed to find their way out of the house that went up in flames. They were taken to University Hospital to receive medical attention; their condition is unknown.
The New Jersey home wasn't the only one affected by the flames as the fire spread to two neighboring houses. The fire department extinguished the fire by 5:15 a.m. the next morning.
The community rallied around the family as they dealt with the immense loss of their son and house in one night. Donations of clothes, food, and other necessities were collected for them.