Christmas Tree Fire Kills California Dad And Three Kids

A Christmas tree that sparked an electrical fire ravaged an apartment complex in Hemet, California, killing a father and three of his children. The tragic incident took place at 1 a.m. on Friday and instigated a vigil and fundraiser for the bereaved family.

According to the Hemet Fire Department and Police Department, the cause of the fire was a result of a Christmas tree sparking an electrical fire at the apartment complex near Alessandro Street and Latham Avenue. The fire reportedly started at the residence of 41-year-old Juan Moreno and immediately spread to the other units in the complex.

The head of the family reportedly attempted to rescue his children by re-entering the burning home. Unfortunately, he did not manage to come out alive. The NBC San Diego Police pronounced Juan Moreno and his two children, 12-year-old Maria and 4-year-old Janessa dead on the scene.

Meanwhile, 8-year-old Isaac was immediately rushed to the hospital after suffering severe burns. On Saturday, Juan’s sister confirmed that Isaac had succumbed to his grave injuries while being treated at the UCI Medical Center.

“This tragedy underscores how quickly a fire can spread, smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan,” said City of Hemet Fire Chief Scott Brown in a statement. “Smoke alarms provide that critical early warning so you can get out quickly and are an important part of a home fire escape plan,” he added.

The police reported that while there were no casualties from the nearby units, about 40 residents in the apartment complex were forced to leave their homes during the fire. It remains unknown if they have already returned to their homes since the incident.

Meanwhile, news about the incident immediately became the talk of the town. Shortly after the incident, a relative of Jose Moreno created a GoFundMe account for the bereaved family. According to reports, Jose is the only provider for his family of seven and it would be very difficult for his wife to cope with their deaths and solely provide for their surviving children. As of this writing, the fundraiser has already raised $32,000 for the family.

Some passionate citizens also initiated a vigil for Jose Moreno’s family. The ritual will take place on Dec. 31, between 8 a.m. and noon at the My City Youth Center, 145 N. Tahquitz Ave.