BAKER COUNTY, Fla. — UPDATE: Baker County Sheriff's Office corrections officer injured in house fire that killed 4
Four people are dead, including three children, after a house fire in rural Baker County, according to the Baker County Fire Rescue.
During a press conference Wednesday, Fire Chief Trevor Nelson said at approximately 8:31 a.m., rescue crews got a call in reference to a "heavy fire" on the 14900 block of OC Horne Road.
Upon arrival, crews confirmed significant flames were coming from the home. Two people were found outside the home in need of immediate medical attention, and multiple people were still inside.
The two adults in critical condition were flown by helicopter to UF Health Shands Burn Unit in Gainesville. One of the adults was identified as a corrections officer with the Baker County Sheriff's Office.
Three people, including two children, were pulled from the house. Emergency crews administered life-saving efforts to all the victims, but all were ultimately pronounced dead at the scene. Another child was considered "missing" inside the home, but was later found dead inside by firefighters. Two dogs also died in the fire.
A firefighter also sustained minor injures resulting from the fire and was taken to Ed Frazier Hospital.
Smoke could still be seen coming off the back of the house several hours into the afternoon.
People living up and down OC Horn Road rolled by slowly, many emotional after finding out this fire took several lives.
“I was on my way to town and I passed, paramedics, I passed fire trucks and state troopers," said Kathy Atkinson, who lives nearby. "And they were in a hurry.”
When Atkinson got into town, all anyone was talking about was the fire down the street from where she lives on OC Horn Road.
“I just got a message from my grandson a few minutes ago there’d been some fatalities and injuries from the fire," said Atkinson. "We’re saddened to hear this news. Don’t know who the family is, but it’s very unfortunate.”
Neighbors told First Coast News the house had only been there for about a year.
One neighbor mentioned they’d bought a dog from the family a while back and used to see kids playing out front.
A Baker County sheriff’s deputy mentioned the department reached out to family members to come take care of the 10 dogs still on the property.
Atkinson spent the day anxiously awaiting updates on who was lost in the fire.
“We have several acquaintances and friends and family living in that area, so very sad," said Atkinson. "Very nervous about that to find out who it was and exactly what happened.”
She, like so many others in the community, is left waiting for more information.
“I really don’t know details yet," said Atkinson. "Exactly what happened, how it happened, it’s just very shocking at this point.”
At this time, the age of all the victims are unknown.
No other homes were affected by the fire.
Responding crews were able to put out all the flames in the house within an hour.
The Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives is investigating the cause of the fire.
The Baker County Fire Chief mentioned they will have counselors available for the firefighters who pulled the children out.
