3-year-old dies in apartment fire after babysitter leaves for store, investigators say

Courtney Fischer Image
Monday, March 11, 2019
FATAL FIRE: 3-year-old killed in apartment fire left alone by babysitting relative, officials say
Babysitter left 3-year-old to go to store when fire broke out at apartment, officials say

HOUSTON, Texas -- It was a tragic scene at the Cozumel Apartments in Houston after a fire took the life of a 3-year-old boy.

Firefighters arrived at the apartment complex around 1:30 a.m. and found flames coming from one of the units.

The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office reported that a 19-year-old woman was babysitting her relative, Gio Lyles.

She allegedly told investigators that she left the apartment to go to the store while Gio was sleeping, but when she got back, she saw heavy smoke coming from the apartment.

Fire officials said the fire started in the kitchen on the stove.

Gio was pronounced dead at Texas Children's Hospital West. The woman was taken to Ben Taub Hospital for smoke inhalation.

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