Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
Times StaffA fire at a Zephyrhills mobile home early Wednesday killed a 12-year-old boy and the family dog.
A fire at a Zephyrhills mobile home early Wednesday killed a 12-year-old boy and the family dog.
Christopher Sanford died in the fire, which happened about 5:30 a.m. at 8407 Heather Drive. A preliminary report shows the boy's father, Ronald Sanford, 32, was home when the fire started and was able to escape uninjured. He was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. There are no other reports of injuries from occupants inside the home.
The boy's grandfather, Willie Quick, 70, who lives next door, was taken to a local hospital after complaining of chest pains. Pasco Fire Rescue, Zephyrhills Fire Department and Pasco Sheriff's Office responded to the fire. State and county fire marshals are investigating.
Bob Botelho, 24, who lives across the street from the Sanfords, said he woke up just before five and heard what he assumed to be children playing with firecrackers. Figuring they'd get tired of playing, he tried to go back to sleep. Then he looked out of the window.
"The whole sky was on fire," he told the Times.
Botelho said he tutored Christopher in math for two months. He was the child every person wants, Botelho recalled. "He didn't ask for anything ... that was the neatest thing about him," Botelho said.
Christopher would have been entering 7th grade at Zephyrhills Christian Academy. His parents were divorced. He lived with his father and grandmother during the week in order to be closer to school.
The blaze marked the county's second involving a mobile home in recent days. The Sheriff's Office reported a mobile home fire in New Port Richey on Sunday morning.