VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — While the children hurt in the December 18 mobile home fire in Virginia Beach are recovering, two of the three are expected to have surgery soon because of the burns and injuries sustained, according to the youngest child’s mother, Alyssa Pentz.
Both 5-year-old Jaxson and 2-year-old Aurora are still in the Boston hospital they were sent to last week after the fire.
Jaxson’s burns are more serious than originally reported, covering 37% of his body, which includes his back, buttocks, legs, fingers and a little on his face. Pentza said the facial burns were not deep enough to cause extensive scarring.
Aurora is said to have burns on 27% of her body. Areas affected include her back, buttocks and very serious burns to her feet. Pentz said her daughter should be able to walk again after the skin grafting.
Pentz added that the kids were both scheduled to have surgery Wednesday but Jaxson’s lungs keep filling with fluid because of his serious injuries, so they have to wait until next week. Aurora may also have surgery another day because she has a fever.
The children were hurt in the Spartan Street mobile home fire that was just a week before Christmas. A firefighter with the Virginia Beach Fire Department had to risk his own life to save the two children who were stuck in the mobile home that was completely engulfed in flames
Alyssa Pentz and the children’s father made it out the mobile home, and were able to pull the 7-year-old Kaira, out, but they were unable to reach the youngest two. Kaira had burns to 4 percent of her body and cuts to her stomach from being pulled through the window. She is now out of the hospital and home with family.
Pentz said the family has been offered a temporary home to stay in once they’re back in the Hampton Roads area. She said they have had so many clothing, toys and other donations coming in that they hope to buy a house to move into.
The family is staying very positive about the children’s recovery and they want to thank the community for being so kind and generous so they can focus on worrying about their children’s recovery.
Friends have set up a GoFundMe account to help with expenses.
Related links:
Virginia Beach firefighter recalls life or death moments when he rescued two kids
3 children recovering after Virginia Beach mobile home fire
Three children in hospital after Virginia Beach mobile home fire
