FORT WORTH, TX – A school-aged child has died, and several other children are fighting for their lives following a horrific early morning house fire on Fort Worth’s south side Thursday.
Desperate Rescue Efforts on McCart Avenue
The Fort Worth Fire Department responded to the blaze on the 4200 block of McCart Avenue around 3:00 a.m. Crews arrived within four minutes to find heavy flames tearing through multiple sides of the home.
Before first responders could arrive, a passing driver, identified as Leon Segura, noticed the flames and heard screams. In a desperate bid to save the children inside, Segura punched through a rear glass screen door and ran into the burning building.
Good Samaritan Hailed a Hero
Segura wrapped his face with a bandana and pulled two young girls out of the inferno one by one. Moments after he rescued the second child, the back of the house began booming and banging as flames took over.
- Status of the Children: The two rescued girls were airlifted by CareFlite to local burn units in critical condition. A third child was transported by ambulance, while one child escaped uninjured. Tragically, one child was found deceased inside.
- The Hero’s Condition: Segura suffered cuts to his arm and hand from breaking the glass but has been treated and released from the hospital.
Fire officials explicitly credited Segura’s quick actions with saving the two girls’ lives, stating that his intervention during those crucial first four minutes made all the difference.
Investigation and Support Underway
A total of seven family members lived in the home. Two adults escaped without injuries. The structure sustained heavy damage, and the American Red Cross is currently providing emergency financial disaster assistance to the displaced family.
Arson investigators are on the scene to determine the exact cause of the fire, which remains unknown. Fort Worth Police have brought in a chaplain to support the grieving family, while mental health resources are being provided to the affected first responders.
