JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Thursday afternoon fire that broke out while an 8-year-old boy and his grandfather were cooking at a home in the Commonwealth neighborhood has claimed the life of the child, according to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.
Capt. Eric Prosswimmer said the fire started around 4:12 p.m. Fire crews arrived at the home on West Beaver Street about three minutes after receiving a report that the boy was inside the home.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the boy was cooking with his grandfather when a grease fire broke out in the kitchen.
The grandfather tried to save his grandson but couldn’t reach him through the window in the back bedroom, JSO said.
“The initial investigation revealed that grandfather was starting to cook in the kitchen. He stepped outside. The fire started. He tried to get back in the house. The fire got too intense. He was trying to get the victim out of the window. That was unsuccessful and unfortunately, the fire consumed the house,” Sgt. Steve Rudlaff said.
By the time they reached the home, the building was heavily engulfed in flames. Crews were able to find the child, but when they pulled him out, he was dead, Prosswimmer said.
A firefighter was also taken to the hospital because he was burned while trying to rescue the family. He has non-life-threatening injuries, according to JFRD.
JSO and the state fire marshall are investigating.