Child airlifted to hospital after firefighters pull him from South Hill mobile home fire

A 10-year-old child was airlifted Thursday evening to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after firefighters pulled him from his family’s burning mobile home in South Hill.

Fire officials said the boy was in critical condition. He was in the ICU Friday morning. The home was a total loss, officials said.

Firefighters with Central Pierce Fire & Rescue responded at about 7:20 p.m. to a home in the 15600 block of 76th Avenue East. Spokesperson Capt. Darrin Shaw said dispatchers advised crews heading to the fire that someone was still inside. When crews arrived, they found heavy smoke and fire at the front of the residence.

Shaw said the boy’s mother told firefighters her son was near the back of the home, so crews went in through a window and found him on the ground. The boy was pulled out and immediately transported to an area hospital with smoke and burn-related injuries. He was later airlifted from that hospital to Harborview. Crews said one other person was treated at the scene for a minor hand injury.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Pierce County fire marshal. It’s unclear where the fire originated. The boy’s aunt set up a GoFundMe to raise money to help her sister and nephew get back on their feet.

Once the rescue was complete, crews turned their attention to putting out the fire, Shaw said. It took firefighters about 30 to 45 minutes to get it under control. He said one nearby home was slightly damaged by smoke, but crews were able to contain flames to the residence where the fire started.

Shaw also said he wanted to reminded people to close their bedroom doors before going to sleep. He said if a fire starts in your home, closing the door gives you another barrier from the flames, and it can give crews a few more minutes to rescue you from the fire.