A Florida father died after a cooking fire tore through his apartment, while two of his young children were pulled from the smoke-filled home and survived.
The fire broke out Saturday morning, May 30, at Pine Ridge Apartments in Gulf County, according to the Port St. Joe Police Department.
When officers arrived, they were met with heavy smoke inside the apartment. First responders found one child near the rear door of the home, barely breathing. They carried the child outside and began first aid.
Despite thick floor-to-ceiling smoke and zero visibility, responders went back inside the apartment. During the second search, they found another child and an adult, later identified as 34-year-old Walter Bowers III, the children’s father.
Bowers and the two children were rushed to separate local hospitals in critical condition.
The next day, police shared a hopeful update on the children, who were described as being about 5 and 10 years old. Officials said they were “recovering so fast” and were “awake and playing.”
Bowers did not survive. His family announced through police that he died on June 1.
In a statement, loved ones said Bowers, affectionately known as “Boug,” was “a beloved son, father, brother, grandson, nephew, brother-in-law, and friend whose love, strength, and presence touched countless lives.”
“As we continue to support his children through this unimaginable loss, we ask that you keep them and our entire family in your thoughts and prayers,” the family said.
According to Port St. Joe Police Chief Jake Richards, the fire was caused by a pot of oil that Bowers had left on the stove while preparing to make wings. Officials said it appeared he may have fallen asleep while getting ready to cook.
Bowers’ mother, Tammy, said she is heartbroken over losing her son but grateful that her grandchildren survived.
“My son did unfortunately pass away, but my two grandchildren — who were also involved in this tragedy — on the bright side are healthy and happy,” she told WJHG.
The tragedy hit especially hard for some of the first responders. Two of them had gone to high school with Bowers.
“It’s hard ’cause I look back and think about how we used to sit next to each other in high school. It’s a heavy hit,” Port St. Joe police officer Caleb Kesterson told WJHG.
Former classmates remembered Bowers as a “class clown” with a big heart.
A GoFundMe has since been created to help the family with anything they may need during this difficult time.
