Uncle Saves 4-Year-Old Nephew in Metairie Fire Rescue

A Tragic Fire at an Apartment Complex Leaves Families in Shock

A devastating fire broke out at an apartment complex located on Woodlawn and West Napoleon avenues on Tuesday evening, causing chaos and leaving residents scrambling for safety. The incident occurred around 5 p.m., when a family was inside their second-floor unit. Arely Turcios, her daughter Brithany, her 4-year-old son Darien Martinez, and her brother Duglas Turcios were among those inside when the flames started.

As smoke and fire began to spread, the family acted quickly. Arely’s husband, Josué Martinez, described how his wife grabbed their daughter and escaped through a back window, using a ladder to descend to safety. Meanwhile, Duglas took a different path, rushing through the front door with Darien in his arms. He managed to navigate through the intense heat and flames, bringing the child down a flight of stairs.

Martinez explained that the family had left the front part of the building where the flames were most intense. Darien was immediately taken to Manning’s Children’s Hospital, where Martinez has been by his side since. He shared that his son is in stable condition but suffered severe burns to his leg, feet, toes, and back. According to the doctor, approximately 30% of Darien's body was burned, and he will need ongoing therapy as part of his recovery.

The road to recovery, however, is expected to be challenging. Martinez expressed his hope that everything goes smoothly for his son. His son’s uncle, Duglas, sustained more severe injuries and is currently being closely monitored at University Medical Center. Family members reported that Duglas was able to briefly speak with them from his hospital bed a day after the incident. He is experiencing inflamed eyes, head swelling, and significant lung pain due to inhaling large amounts of smoke.

Neighbors like Christian Morgan are hoping for a full recovery for both Darien and Duglas. Morgan lives on the ground floor of the same complex, just diagonal from the Martinez family. He said the fire caused extensive damage to every unit in the building, which left him shocked and overwhelmed.

“I’m really lost for words. It was so unexpected and surprising,” Morgan said.

The Jefferson Parish Fire Department and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office are currently investigating the cause of the blaze. Meanwhile, the American Red Cross is offering temporary aid to families who have been displaced by the fire. Morgan mentioned that he feels for everyone affected, especially his daughter, who lost all her school supplies just before starting pre-K next week.

“It’s hard because we just got all the stuff, but it’s definitely something that we can come back from,” he said. To help with their recovery, Morgan’s family has launched a GoFundMe page.

Another resident, Kristen Shelby, shared that her mother’s fiancé re-entered their apartment to rescue their dog. Unfortunately, he now has second-degree burns on his back and head. Shelby also created a GoFundMe page to support her family’s recovery following the fire.

The community is coming together to support those affected by this tragic event. As families begin the long process of rebuilding their lives, the focus remains on healing, recovery, and hope for the future.