PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. – A 27-year-old mother died Wednesday after being hospitalized since Monday following a fire that killed three other people, including two brothers and a 4-year-old boy, in East Palatka, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said Carolina Gomez was one of three people transported to UF Health Shands Hospital Gainesville and treated for burn injuries from the house fire on Maryland Avenue.
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Gomez’s death brings the total of deadly victims from the fire to four.
As of Thursday morning, her 18-month-old child remained in critical condition, and her 7-year-old daughter, Eliza, was in critical, but stable condition.
One Putnam County firefighter was also injured in the fire but is expected to be OK, the Palatka Fire Department said.
Three other people who were in the home were taken to a hospital and treated for burn injuries, the sheriff’s office said.
Officials said a mobile home on North Maryland Avenue near McCormick Road caught fire and multiple people were rescued Monday morning.
The Hernandez family, who lived in the home, told News4JAX that six people were inside when the fire broke out.
Two brothers, Fernando and Enrique, along with a 4-year-old boy, Angel Enrique Hernandez, died in the fire, the family said.
“At this time, the cause of the fire is unknown as the investigation is preliminary,” the sheriff’s office said in a post. “For those inclined, please pray for this family.”
The property owner told News4JAX she’s been renting to them for almost 10 years and is now trying to find someone who can help the family as they deal with this tragedy.
For those who would like to donate and help the family with their medical expenses, a GoFundMe can be found here.
