May 22, 2013
An early morning fire Wednesday resulted in tragedy for a Northwest Florida family. A five-year-old boy is dead, his older brother and father are injured.
Crews from several volunteer fire departments in North Walton County arrived on the scene. Richard Rollins and his 11-year-old son Zachary were found unconscious outside their home. The house is along County Road 1883 in the Glendale Community. Mrs. Kendra Rollins was able to carry a two-year-old child to safety but her five-year-old son was trapped.
Once firefighters arrived, they saw Mrs. Rollins trying to get back inside to get her five-year-old son. The flames were too intense to get in.
Zachary Rollins was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, his father has also been transferred to an area hospital.
It's believed the fire started in the front of the house, but no cause has been given. The state Fire Marshall's office is handling the investigation.
An account has been established at the Walton County Teacher's Federal Credit Union on behalf of the family or donations can be made at the Walton County Sheriff's Department. Mrs. Rollins is an employee of the sheriff's department.
