(Maricopa, AZ Nov 20-2009)

A mobile home fire Friday morning claimed the life of a 22 year-old female.

The home was located near SR238 and Ralston Road.  The area lies in an unincorporated area of Pinal County, west of Maricopa.  Units from the Maricopa, Ak-Chin, Sun Lakes, and Tempe Fire Departments responded to the scene.

According to Maricopa Fire Department spokesman Brad Pitassi, the home was already 80 to 90% engulfed by the time fire units arrived.  Four occupants were home at the time.

A 3 year-old boy, who is believed to have been outside the home at the time the fire started, was able to run inside and save his 1 year-old baby sister.  The baby received burns to 36% of her body and was transported to Maricopa Medical Center’s burn unit in Phoenix.

The children’s 28 year-old aunt received burns to 70% of her body.  She was also transported to Phoenix.  Both aunt and baby are listed in critical condition at the present time.  The boy did not receive any injuries.

The fire claimed the mother of the children.  Her body was found by firefighters in the north-west portion of the home.

The Phoenix Fire Department has sent an investigator to the scene who will be working with the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office to try and determine the cause of the fire.

Maricopa UPS Store owner Taylor Werner is accepting clothing donations for both children at his store, 20987 N. John Wayne Pkwy. Ste. 104, during normal business hours - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Monetary donations can be made  to The Michelle Muriano Memorial Fund at any Wells Fargo Bank

Story by Sam McCallie/Maricopa360.com

Photos by Howard WaGGner/newsofmaricopa.com