Fire, explosion kill Vegas father, son - FOX5 Vegas - KVVU

Fire, explosion kill Vegas father, son

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Viewer-submitted photo of a house fire near Martin Luther King and Carey. Viewer-submitted photo of a house fire near Martin Luther King and Carey.
The fire broke out at around 6:30 p.m. The fire broke out at around 6:30 p.m.
LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -

Authorities ruled a fire and explosion that resulted in the deaths of a Las Vegas dad and his teenage son as accidental.

Las Vegas Fire and Rescue said the blaze Thursday night at a home in the 800 block of Bartlett Avenue sparked when the father, who was not immediately identified, was working outside on his boat under a carport in front of the home. Officials said he was using gasoline.

According to fire investigators, some of the gasoline spilled or vaporized and somehow found an ignition source.

The father caught fire, leading his son - who was identified by the Clark County Coroner's office as 13-year-old Mirion Jackson - to go inside the home to call for help, officials said.

Investigators, though, said the flash fire from the boat spread flames and smoke into the home, causing an explosion that trapped the boy inside.

Officials also said a woman at the home tried to escape the fire, but it wasn't until patrolling Metro and North Las Vegas police officers acted at the scene to help the woman flee the flames.

Investigators said the officers also attempted to rescue the teen, but bars over doors at the home and the intense heat from the fire kept them from going inside.

Firefighters were able to knock down most of the flames within 15 minutes of arriving, LVFR said.

Crews found the boy unresponsive inside the home. He was transported to University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The boy's father died at the scene.

The boy's mother and two police officers were also hospitalized. Fire officials reported smoke inhalation injuries for the officers.

Damage from the fire was estimated at $70,000.

Las Vegas Fire and Rescue said the two deaths were the first reported fatalities related to fire this year.

The American Red Cross said it is assisting the mother and another son who was not at home during the fire.

An investigation into the blaze is ongoing.

Stay with FOX5 for updates on this developing story.

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A fire and explosion at a northwest Las Vegas home on Sept. 27, 2012 resulted in the deaths of a father and his 13-year-old son. view More>>

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