Oak Hills House Fire Claims 2 During Attempted Rescue
HESPERIA (CBSLA.com) — Two people were killed when a single-story home caught fire in Hesperia early Sunday morning.
San Bernardino County Fire officials received multiple reports shortly after 5 a.m. when the house, located on the 12000 block of Palm St. caught fire in the area of Oak Hills.
Smoke was visible and firefighters were quickly alerted that occupants remained inside the home. Additional engine companies were also dispatched, resulting in four paramedic engine companies responding.
The first engine, which arrived within minutes of the initial call, reported seeing heavy smoke and flames coming from the front of the home. Three residents were initially able to escape the blaze after being alerted by smoke detectors.
"We were sleeping and we heard someone screaming, and we just ran outside to see what was going on, and realized it was Olivia screaming for help," neighbor Irene Hernandez said.
One of those residents, identified as 72-year-old Arturo Garcia, then ran back into the house, despite having to use a walker due to hip surgery, in hopes of rescuing his bed-ridden mother, identified as 94-year-old Conception Bravo.
Firefighters performed an aggressive search of the home, looking for Garcia and his mother, with additional engine companies supporting the rescue effort.
It was during that search that the two victims were found, deceased, inside the room in which the fire was suspected to have originated. Crews determined there were no other occupants in the home.
Firefighters gained control of the fire within 20 minutes of arrival.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation by the San Bernardino County Fire Office of the Fire Marshal, as well as the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
