The Polk County Sheriff's Office Issued the Following Press Release in Regards to a Fire that Claimed the Life of a Child on November 18, 2015. THE PRESS RELEASE INCLUDES INFORMATION ON HOW YOU CAN HELP THIS FAMILY THAT IS IN NEED...
Sheriff Kenneth Hammack reports on November 18, 2015 at approximately 8:50 pm, his office responded to a structure fire discovered to be a Mobil Home on Moonbeam Lane occupied by a family of five (5). Jessica Stokes along with her four (4) children ages 2, 4, 6, 8 were inside the home at the time the fire started. The mother was able to get three (3) of her children safely out of the home. Her eight (8) year old son who sheriff investigators believe was attempting to help his siblings out of the home was unable to escape. Investigators suspect the child got turned around in the home due to heavy smoke and fire, causing him to lose his way. The child was later discovered near the kitchen area deceased due to the fire. An autopsy was conducted by the Jefferson County Medical Examiner’s Office the following day. The fire is currently under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and the State Fire Marshalls Office.
Sheriff Hammack is asking that if anyone would like to make donations or provide new or gently used clothing and toys to please contact Crystal Finegan, Family Advocate at our local Child Advocacy Center, Childrenz Haven at 936-327-4757 Monday – Friday located at 412 West Milam St. in Livingston.
ORIGINAL STORY BELOW
Fire trucks line the road on Moonbeam Drive near Mangum Road.
9 Year Old Perishes in Mobile Home Fire, LIVINGSTON, November 18, 2015 - At approximately 8:50 pm on November 18, 2015, a mobile home fire was reported to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Trucks and firemen from the Scenic Loop Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to 425 Moonbeam Drive (near Mangum Road) and was quickly backed up by the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department. Additonally, Sergeant David Ramsey and Deputy Victor White with the Polk County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the scene. The mobile home was fully involved. Firemen were informed that there was possibly a 9 year old boy inside the burning mobile home. The firemen made an intense effort and tore one side of the mobile home off in an effort to get to the child. Sadly, they weren't able to get to the boy in time and found him near the kitchen door. According to neighbors, the child was trying to help his mother get his younger siblings out of the home. The mother, 27 year old Jessica Stokes has four children (the 9 year old was her oldest). Firemen were able to get the fire out but the mobile home was totaled. Stokes reportedly didn't have homeowner's insurance. Justice of the Peace, Darrell Longino performed an inquest at the scene. A first-call car from Cochran Funeral Home transported the young victim from the scene. The cause of the fire is not yet known but remains under investigation.
The firemen tore one side of the mobile home wall off in an effort to get to the child.
Firemen located the victim near the kitchen door.
If you would like to comment on this story, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at pctletters@gmail.com. Be sure to include the story subject in the subject line of your email, also list your name and town in your letter. Your letter will be posted in Letters to the Editor.
