December 26, 2014 11:15 EST
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Fire officials say a 6-year-old girl is dead and two of her siblings are in critical condition following a fire in their Jacksonville apartment.
The fire broke out about 2 a.m. Friday in the second-floor apartment.
The Florida Times-Union (http://bit.ly/1vh84sf ) reports neighbors saw smoke and called 911.
Firefighters found a man and a child in the bathtub, apparently trying to shield themselves from the smoke. Fire officials say other victims were found throughout the apartment. They suffered primarily from smoke inhalation.
Investigators say the fire started in the kitchen, likely from a pot left on the stove.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office say Jamiyah Smith died, and her 27-year-old father Ronnie Smith is in life-threatening condition. Siblings 3-year-old Amani Smith and 11-year-old Asia Dewey are in critical condition.
Information from: The (Jacksonville) Florida Times-Union, http://www.jacksonville.com
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6-year-old girl dies, four family members injured in Jacksonville apartment fire
Sheila
Doyle, property manager at the Landon Imperial Apartments, laid three
stuffed dolls where a fire killed one child and left four family
members, including two other children, critically injured Friday
morning.
A 6-year-old girl died and four family members, including two
siblings, were left in critical condition early Friday morning in a
Southside Jacksonville apartment fire, police and fire officials said.
The blaze occurred just before 2 a.m. at the Landon Imperial Apartments at 1913 Art Museum Drive. Neighbors saw smoke coming from the second-floor apartment and called 911, said Tom Francis, a spokesman for the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.
Firefighters found a man and a child in the bathtub, apparently trying to shield themselves from the fire, Francis told the Times-Union. The other victims were found scattered throughout the apartment. They primarily suffered smoke inhalation.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office said that the fire started in the kitchen area near the stove. Francis said a pot on the stove was the likely source, though the investigation is continuing.
There are no indications of foul play.
The Sheriff’s Office identified the dead girl as Jamiyah Smith. Smith’s father, Ronnie Smith, 27, was in life threatening condition at Baptist Medical Center. Her mother, Ayana Ahota, 26, is in critical condition at Memorial Hospital.
Also sent Baptist in critical condition are Amani Smith, 3, and Asia Dewey, 11.
Property Manager Shelia Doyle, joined by at least one other person, broke through a window and the front door with several fire extinguishers when they saw the smoke and heard people screaming.
"I came outside and looked up and saw an orange ball of fire," Doyle said. "I screamed for a fire extinguisher and someone to call 911 and we went and kicked the door in. It was so smoky. We couldn't see. We couldn't help."
Doyle said the family lived at the complex for about six weeks.
"They were three of the most gorgeous girls you've ever seen in your life," Doyle said. "It's just horrible."
Neighbor Marcie Montes said she often saw the girls happily playing outside the apartment.
"It's terribly sad that it happened, especially this time of year," Montes said. "I'm sure they had so much fun playing yesterday [on Christmas]. And now this. It's a tragedy."
Jim Schoettler: (904) 359-4385
The blaze occurred just before 2 a.m. at the Landon Imperial Apartments at 1913 Art Museum Drive. Neighbors saw smoke coming from the second-floor apartment and called 911, said Tom Francis, a spokesman for the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.
Firefighters found a man and a child in the bathtub, apparently trying to shield themselves from the fire, Francis told the Times-Union. The other victims were found scattered throughout the apartment. They primarily suffered smoke inhalation.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office said that the fire started in the kitchen area near the stove. Francis said a pot on the stove was the likely source, though the investigation is continuing.
There are no indications of foul play.
The Sheriff’s Office identified the dead girl as Jamiyah Smith. Smith’s father, Ronnie Smith, 27, was in life threatening condition at Baptist Medical Center. Her mother, Ayana Ahota, 26, is in critical condition at Memorial Hospital.
Also sent Baptist in critical condition are Amani Smith, 3, and Asia Dewey, 11.
Property Manager Shelia Doyle, joined by at least one other person, broke through a window and the front door with several fire extinguishers when they saw the smoke and heard people screaming.
"I came outside and looked up and saw an orange ball of fire," Doyle said. "I screamed for a fire extinguisher and someone to call 911 and we went and kicked the door in. It was so smoky. We couldn't see. We couldn't help."
Doyle said the family lived at the complex for about six weeks.
"They were three of the most gorgeous girls you've ever seen in your life," Doyle said. "It's just horrible."
Neighbor Marcie Montes said she often saw the girls happily playing outside the apartment.
"It's terribly sad that it happened, especially this time of year," Montes said. "I'm sure they had so much fun playing yesterday [on Christmas]. And now this. It's a tragedy."
Jim Schoettler: (904) 359-4385