FENELTON, Pa. — A two-year-old child was killed, and two other people hurt in a mobile home fire in Butler County on Saturday morning.
“It’s tough seeing that and knowing what happened. It’s tough to look at,” said George W. Geary, who lives across the street.
Neighbors in the Saw Mill Estates mobile home park said they’re devastated after fire tore through one of the homes in the park off of Old Route 422 around 8 a.m. Saturday.
“I just got a call this morning that there were some firetrucks around,” Geary said. “I came out to check to see what was going on and that’s when we saw the trailer on fire. "
Geary said the neighborhood is extremely close-knit.
“Everyone’s gonna feel it,” he said. “It’s just a tragedy.”
Dispatchers tell Channel 11 that two adults were flown to Pittsburgh hospitals after the fire. Geary said they’re both in their 20s. Their son, who died in the fire, just turned two in September.
On Sunday, just before 5 p.m., Pennsylvania State Police identified him as Jesse Umbaugh.
State troopers said the parents tried to get back into the house to rescue him but were unable to.
“They were out there playing all the time in the yard. I’d come home from work and see them out there. They’d see me come pulling in and he’d come running out of the driveway, give me a fist bump, high five, something,” Geary said. “Great little kid.”
Other neighbors who saw the fire described it as heartbreaking.
“I feel bad I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t help nobody [sic],” said Bob Owens, who lives next door. “I wish I could’ve done more.”
Geary said the whole community is hoping the boy’s parents are okay.
“Everyone’s praying for them,” Geary said. “Everybody’s praying for them.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. There’s no word on how those two adults are doing this evening. Officials have not released any names of those involved in the fire.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help support the victims. Click here if you would like to donate.
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