Four Killed in Florida Mobile Home Fire

April 26, 2007
Firefighters said it appeared the mobile home had burned for some time when they arrived.

SATSUMA, Fla. --

A mother, father and two of their children died Wednesday morning when a double-wide mobile home in southern Putnam County was consumed by fire just after 2 a.m.

Six people got out with their lives, but two of them -- one a 5-year-old -- were taken to Shands-Gainesville Medical Center with second- and third-degree burns.

Putnam County firefighters said it appeared the mobile home on Oklahoma Avenue in Satsuma had burned for some time when they arrived.

"There were two roof structures ... which complicates issues as far as trying to extinguish the fire," said Robby Stephens of the state Fire Marshal's office. "The fire just hides everywhere inside the mobile home."

The victims were identified as Keith Comer, his wife, Roxanne, their 3-year-old son, Keith Jr., and Roxanne's 10-year-old son, Ryan.

Samantha Breuning was one of the 10 people asleep in the home when the fire broke out. She said her boyfriend woke her up.

"He yelled at me, 'Get up; we've got to go now.' I walked out and the whole house was on fire," Breuning said.

When she got outside, her brother-in-law handed her one young child, then went back inside.

"He went back in for the little boy and he fell at the window with the baby," Breuning said.

Firefighters found him dead with his 3-year-old son in his arms. His wife and a 10-year-old boy were also killed in the fire. By late Wednesday their names were still not released.

"The hardest part is because I was there. I was in it and there was nothing I could do," Breuning said. "I lost four family members because of it and it feels horrible."

Breuning got out alive, but Francis Maynard's other daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren did not.

"I don't think my heart will ever heal," Maynard said. "I've had some tough days, but this is bad."

The home was burned to the foundation. The cause of the fire was under investigation by local, state and federal agencies.

Nina Banister, a spokeswoman for the State Fire Marshal's Office, said that no smoke detectors were in the home, and a back door was boarded up.

"We believe that may have hindered escape," Banister said.

The Red Cross is assisting the family who lost four members in the fire.

A Satsuma Fire Victims' Fund was established at Bank of America, account No. 898007883791.

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Firehouse, create an account today!