Three Kids Killed In Kentucky Trailer Fire

Oct. 25, 2005
Fourth child clings to life.

One child died at a local hospital after two others were pronounced dead at the scene of a trailer fire Tuesday.

Liz Beth Garcia, 2; Loren Pena, 3; and Gabrial Pena, 5 months, all died Tuesday, WLKY NewsChannel 32's Maria Gum reported. Two-year-old Juan Pena is in critical condition at Kosair Children's Hospital.

The blaze broke out shortly before 11 a.m. in a trailer community in the 8200 block of Minors Lane, in Okolona. It's not clear what caused the fire. Several police agencies are investigating, but foul play is not suspected, Gum reported.

Two adults, including one firefighter, were taken to University Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Also, a woman in the trailer that burned, who likely was watching the children, got out safely.

Two children were pulled to safety, thanks to the quick reactions of some neighbors. Once it was determined there was too much smoke coming from the back, several adults went to the side of the home, broke a window and began the rescue effort.

Bucky Brooks , best known in the area for having stood trial in a high-profile homicide case, said two men lifted him up so he could help pull two children from the burning home.

"The maintenance man lifted me up, so I reached in and got one (child) out," Brooks said. "He lifted me up again and I got another one."

Another neighbor who helped rescue the children, Steve Meibers, 47, told WLKY that he was willing to risk his life so that others could live.

"I didn't even think about myself," he said. "I figured I've lived 47 years. If I could get that baby in the living room, that would be good."

Please follow WLKY NewsChannel 32 and WLKY.com for updates to this story as they become available.

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