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Fire Rescue: 3-Year-Old Boy Causes Fort Lauderdale House Fire

/ CBS Miami

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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said a blaze that tore through a home Thursday afternoon was started by a 3-year-old child.

Chakisha Hamilton lives in the home with her six children, ages 3 to 16.

"I'm numb," she said. "I just thank God the kids are okay."

Hamilton said she left her 13-year-old daughter Chakia home for a few minutes to watch her 3-year-old boy.  In that time, the boy found a lighter, went under a bed and set it on fire.

"Never keep lighters in the house," Hamilton said. "We don't smoke. We just used them for s'mores on Sunday and this happened."

Chakia said she was making a sandwich when she realized what her brother did.

"I was scared and I told him to stay outside while I tried to put it out but it got too big so I just went outside," Chakia said.

Both she and her little brother suffered minor burns on their hands and smoke inhalation. They were released from a hospital Thursday night and are expected to be okay.

"She was very brave," Chakisha said. "I'm very proud of her. She's my big girl."

But with all this damage, Chakisha's sister wonders how they'll move forward.

"They have nothing," said Priscilla Bonhomme. "Everything is destroyed."

For now, Chakisha cannot bear to come back and see the damage to the home that she and her kids recently moved into. The Red Cross will provide food clothing and shelter for 3 days.

"I have no idea what I'm gonna do after that," she said.

Rescue crews tweeted out several video and photos of the fire and damage.

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