At 1:15 this morning, Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a house fire in the 2200 block of Cedar Crest Drive. Initial reports indicated that a 7-year-old male was trapped inside the home. Forestdale Fire was able to remove the child from the home and he was transported to UAB Hospital. Unfortunately, the child later died from injuries sustained in the fire. The child’s 16-year-old brother has also been hospitalized due to smoke inhalation he endured while trying to save his younger brother. Their 5-year-old sister is also being treated at Children’s Hospital for what are believed to be minor injuries. The children were at home with their grandmother when the fire occurred. She was transported to UAB Hospital and treated for her injuries, and has since been released.
Detectives from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office along with the State Fire Marshall will be conducting the investigation into the cause and circumstances surrounding the fire.