OSKALOOSA – A 7-year-old boy died in a home fire Friday night, and now fire crews are looking for what caused the fire.
According to the Oskaloosa Fire Department, crews were called to a home fire at 515 High Avenue East. Reports came in about the possibility of a child in the basement.
When the first engine arrived on scene, that crew immediately requested an “all in” for the Oskaloosa Fire Department. Simultaneously, mutual aid was requested from the New Sharon Fire Department.
Oskaloosa Police Officers and Mahaska County Sheriff Deputies advised the engine crew that they had
attempted to make entry but were driven out by smoke and heat. Firefighters from the first engine
company immediately began search and rescue operations and fire suppression but were hampered by low visibility, intense heat, and driven back by flames.
Flames were knocked down and firefighters located 7-year-old David C. Fogle in the basement area of the residence. He was removed from the structure and patient care was given to Mahaska Health Partnership paramedics who transported him to the Mahaska Health Partnership campus.
7-year-old David C. Fogle passed away as a result of his injuries. Angelia D. Wells, the boy’s mother, received second-degree burns to her left forearm, back of her neck and ears as she attempted to rescue her son before she was driven out by heavy smoke and heat. Two other children, ages six and nine, were sent out of the residence by Angelia and were not injured.
Twenty-four firefighters were on scene for approximately three hours. No firefighter injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Neighbors in the area are heartbroken after the news.
“I can’t imagine what the mom must be going through,” said Georgia Bair.
