DEER PARK, Texas — A 10-year-old girl was treated for severe burns at Shriners Hospital in Galveston after her family's home in Deer Park caught on fire overnight.
Deer Park firefighters said the child was flown by Life Flight to a Houston hospital in an unknown condition. Her father said she was then taken to Shriners Hospital.
The home was badly damaged and their two pets did not survive. The fire was reported just before 2 a.m. Monday on Durant Avenue which is also around the time Ruben Rodriguez was on his way home from work. He told KHOU 11 that his son called to let him know what was going on.
“El fue que escucho que pues la nina empezó a gritar,” Rodriguez said.
He said his 14-year-old son heard his 10-year-old sister, Anaili, screaming.
“Cuando él fue no podía abrir la puerta y la patio y abrió y mi niño despierto a mis esposa,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said his son couldn’t get her door open, so he kicked it and woke up his mom. The mother, son, Anaili and their youngest child were able to get out of the home.
“The patient was already outside of the house when we arrived on scene with significant burns,” Deer Park Fire Department Assistant Chief Arroyo said.
Rodriguez said his daughter suffered severe burns to her hands. He said she also has small ones on her face and neck, but he’s thankful that she and his entire family got out of the home.
“Le doy gracias a Dios que la niña está con vida,” Rodriguez said.
He said he gives thanks to God that his daughter is alive.
The cause of the fire is still unknown. The family created a GoFundMe to help with medical expenses and finding a new home.