On April 2, 2009, at 6:47 a.m., Firefighters responded to a structure fire with a report of a child trapped inside at the 10600 block of Monte Vista Road in Phelan. Upon their arrival, the approximate 800 square foot home was fully engulfed in flames. A female reported the child was still in the bedroom.

Firefighters immediately started a rescue operation, breaking both bedroom windows and quickly attacking the fire from the outside with water. Utilizing fans to cool the fire and blow the smoke from the home, firefighters were able to make their way inside the child’s bedroom; however the child had already succumbed to the fire. Firefighters were able to extinguish the rest of the fire within ten minutes.

The mother stated she heard the baby crying and when she went to attend the child, the bedroom was filled with smoke and flames and the fire was spreading quickly to the rest of the home. Due to the extensive heat of the fire, the mother was unable to get to her 18 month old son from his crib. She immediately grabbed her 3 year old daughter and exited the home. There were no other occupants in the residence. The mother and her daughter did not sustain any injuries from the fire.

The home was completely destroyed, with the loss estimated at $100,000. The fire is believed to have started in the child’s room. No foul play is expected and the fire is not believed to have been arson. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Investigators with the San Bernardino County Fire & Sheriff’s Department are conducting the investigation.
  

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