A family in Jurupa Valley is mourning the loss of their 14-year-old who died from severe burn injuries and smoke inhalation after their home was engulfed in flames last week.
On Dec. 5 at 1:59 p.m., firefighters from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and Riverside County Fire Department responded to a single-story house that was inundated with flames on Pacific Avenue in Jurupa Valley.
One victim was trapped and pulled from the burning structure by firefighters and transported to a local hospital in critical condition, according to county fire officials.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Family members have identified the victim on social media as 14-year-old Zakaria Diaz.
Zakaria was an eighth-grade student of Central Middle School of Arts and Innovation, KTLA5 reported. The school released a statement that said Zakaria died of his injuries in the hospital two days after the fire.
The school described Zakaria as a “profoundly kind student who enjoyed all aspects of school life.”
“As a 7th grader, he played in the Intermediate Band and his band mates from last year are still his close friends,” the statement said. “As one of the tallest students at Central, you should see him above all the other kids, but he was truly a gentle giant with a quick smile and an easy laugh.”
His mother, Nicky Rodriquez, is raising money through a GoFundMe page for funeral expenses. She said Zakaria “had a happy fulfilled life and he will continue to give us the loving memories on the time we got to spend with him.”
A small memorial of flowers, candles and a plush Pikachu were left on the curb in front of the charred remnants of the family’s home.
The fire displaced seven people and also killed the family’s five chihuahuas, KTLA5 reported.
The family is holding a memorial for Zakaria at 1 p.m. on Dec. 20 at the Rubidoux Mortuary-Kimberly Family Chapel on 6091 Mission Blvd. in Riverside.