Dad and 2 kids die in Florida fire that saw mom make desperate rescue attempt, cops say

Two children are among three family members who died in a fire that drove one frantic mother to enter the burning home in Florida in a desperate rescue attempt, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

The dead have been identified as 14-month-old Harmony Lopez, 5-year-old Angel Lopez Jr. and 22-year-old Angel Lopez Sr., the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

It happened Monday, April 17, at a home in Lithia, about 24 miles southeast of Tampa.

“Deputies arrived to find 22-year-old Veronica Bermudez with her three-year-old son Elijah Lopez outside the home engulfed in flames,” officials said.

“In an effort to rescue the rest of her family, the mother of three sustained burns to her hands and singed her hair. ... Despite everyone’s best efforts, there was so much fire and heat that first responders were unable to save three more family members.”

Bermudez and Elijah were taken to a hospital and “are recovering,” officials said.

Investigators say the 22-year-old man who died was her husband.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, officials said. Photos show the mobile home was gutted and suffered a partial roof collapse.

“This scene has all of our responders shaken,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in the release.

“Losing three lives, especially two children, is a tragedy beyond words. Nothing prepares you for scenes like this. My heart is heavy with sadness for the family and the community.”

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