'They lost everything': 2 children, puppies killed in Eastpoint fire
Two children and at least one puppy were killed in a mobile home fire in Eastpoint overnight Friday, according to Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith.
The children were elementary school age, Smith said. Their parents and two other siblings made it out of the blaze and are being assisted by the Red Cross and the Sheriff's Office to find temporary housing.
"There was nothing left," Smith said, describing the scene he saw hours after the flames were quelled.
Smith said it was an accidental fire that likely stemmed from a heat lamp.
"They had puppies and were trying to keep warm," he said. "It looks like that's where it started."
Other recent local fires: One person hurt in Tallahassee mobile home blaze, TFD says
More: Capitola house fire causes $65,000 in damage
More: Homicide, arson charges filed against man following deadly house fire in Gadsden County
The parents did not have a life insurance policy on the children and are "starting from scratch," according to Smith.
"They lost everything," he said. "We're going to do everything we can to help and encourage people to do the same."
How to help
Those looking to donate to the family can do so by writing a check to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office at 270 State Road 65, Eastpoint, FL 32328.
Online donations can be made at franklin-county-sheriffs-office-charity-fund.square.site.
Please specify the funds are to be used for the Cooper family.
Contact Christopher Cann at ccann@tallahassee.com and follow @ChrisCannFL on Twitter.
Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat using the link at the top of the page.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: House fire in Eastpoint, Florida, kills two children, Franklin County sheriff says
