4-year-old among 3 killed in fire that critically burned 3 others, FL cops say

Three people were killed and three others were critically injured when a family’s home went up in flames, according to investigators in North Florida.

The dead include a 4-year-old and two men, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office reported in a May 13 Facebook post.

It happened Monday, May 12, at 215 North Maryland Avenue in East Palatka, and at least seven people were inside the home at the time, officials say. East Palatka is about a 60-mile drive south from Jacksonville.

“After the fire began, Elizabeth Gomez managed to escape from the house and ran to a neighbor, who called 911,” the sheriff’s office said.

“Fernando Hernandez Mendez, 31, and Enrique Hernandez Mendez, 33, were found dead inside the home. Angel Enrique Diaz Perez, 4, was found not breathing inside the house. ... He was taken to HCA Florida Putnam Hospital. Despite resuscitative efforts by paramedics and hospital staff, Diaz Perez died.”

Three people were “rescued” from the burning home by first responders, Putnam County Fire Rescue reports. They include 18-month-old Jesus Hernandez, 7-year-old Elizabeth Hernandez Gomez, and Carolina Gomez, 27, the sheriff’s office said.

All three remain hospitalized in critical condition with “burn injuries,” officials said.

“According to family members, the 7-year-old had stayed home from school because of a medical appointment scheduled for later that morning,” the sheriff’s office said.

One firefighter was injured during the fire and taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries, the fire department said.

A fundraising campaign for funeral expenses reports the fire started “in the early morning hours.”

The cause remains under investigation, officials said.

This story was originally published May 13, 2025 at 7:48 AM.