The Salina Fire Deparment has issued a statement on the mobile home fire that claimed the life of a 3-year-old boy and injured two others Wednesday afternoon:

“On February 24, 2016 just after 11:30 a.m., the Salina Fire Department was dispatched to 917 N. 13th Street for a report of a mobile home on fire with possible victims inside.

Upon arrival, fire crews found heavy fire showing from a singlewide mobile home. The fire had also spread to a neighboring mobile home and was involved in flames.

The initial on-scene report was there were two children trapped inside the burning home. Fire crews initiated search and rescue and fire extinguishment efforts. While conducting the search, it was determined that one of the children had escaped. However, one child was still unaccounted for and presumed to be still inside. Fire crews did find a child inside the burning home. He was removed, immediately taken to an awaiting ambulance and transported to Salina Regional Health Center.

There were three mobile homes affected by this incident, two of which are considered to be a total loss. The third mobile home received exterior fire damage to an enclosed porch, but is habitable. Investigators are still determining dollar loss estimates.

An extensive examination was conducted of the mobile home. However, due to the extreme heat and fire damage, an exact cause and point of origin could not be determined. Investigators continue to gather information.

Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult and tragic time.”

Salina Fire Marshal Roger Williams said the 3-year-old was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after arriving. His 49-year-old grandmother was transported by helicopter to Wichita for treatment for 2nd degree burns covering 40% of her body. A 3-month-old infant was transported to Wichita by ambulance for treatment of smoke inhalation and later released to family. A 6-year-old girl was able to escape the home without injury. A fourth child that lives at the home was at school at the time of the fire.

On Thursday, a Saline County District Court Judge released the mother of the children from jail, seeing no purpose in keeping her custody in light of the tragedy. She had been serving a 1-year sentence for misdemeanor theft which was modified to the 219 days she had already served.