13-year-old dies in Baker County camper fire

GLEN ST. MARY, Fla. – A 13-year-old girl died after a fire broke out inside a camper parked in Baker County on Wednesday morning.

According to the Baker County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and firefighters responded to the fire in the Cuyler area near Orbey Rhoden Road in Glen St. Mary. When they arrived, first responders said they found a camper completely consumed by flames.

Her family identified the teen victim as Avery Brown. She was a student at Baker County Middle School.

“She was a loving little girl, 13 years old. Going to school, trying to do the best she could, and most of all, she loved the Lord,” Lana Hunter, Brown’s great-grandmother said.

Deputies said there were other people inside the camper who were able to escape without injuries.

“My little granddaughter who’s 5 years old, Ophelia, she woke her grandmother up to say there’s a fire and the little ones got out of the camper, and she didn’t realize that Avery… didn’t get out of the camper,” Hunter said.

Hunter said about 13 relatives of different generations live on the property. They’re absolutely devastated.

“This is horrible. It’s unbearable really,” Hunter said.

Early investigation revealed that a space heater inside the camper may be what caused the fire.

“This is horrible. Tragic, tragic. To lose a child this way. If everybody could just pray for my family we really need it right now,” said Bethany Brooks, Brown’s relative.

Residents said a similar tragedy happened in this very neighborhood on Oct. 4 when three children and one adult died in a mobile home fire.

In recent weeks, organizations have been in the area handing out and installing smoke detectors, according to residents.

The State Fire Marshal and Baker County Sheriff’s Office are investigating this incident.

“Sheriff Scotty Rhoden extends his heartfelt condolences to the family and request our community keep them in our prayers,” the Baker County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a news release.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, on average, fires sparked by portable heaters lead to 65 deaths and 150 injuries a year.