News

Actions

11-month-old dies in Beach townhome fire

Posted at 10:03 PM, Aug 15, 2013
and last updated 2013-08-16 19:27:57-04

Virginia Beach, Va. – An 11-month-old child died after a fire broke out in the Campus East neighborhood in Virginia Beach on Thursday night.

This occurred in the 5400 block of Scholarship Drive.

The Virginia Beach Fire Department says they received a call for the fire at 9:28 p.m. Callers reported that the 11-month-old child was still trapped inside the two-story townhome.

Firefighters arrived in less than four minutes and encountered heavy fire and high heat on the second floor.

The fire was under control in seven minutes and the 11-month-old boy was immediately found.

The boy, identified as Roarhe Bey, was located in the same room as the fire.

Two family members sustained burns and smoke inhalation during attempts to rescue the child.

A Virginia Beach Police officer was also treated for smoke inhalation after also attempting to rescue the child.

Fire Investigators are working with the Virginia Beach Police Department to determine the cause of the fire.  The case remains under investigation.

The family tells NewsChannel 3 that the parents were home cooking dinner when they saw smoke coming from upstairs. They went to check but by then, they say it was too late.

The fire severely damaged the home and the Red Cross was contacted to assist the family with housing needs.