Woman dies in Avondale house fire, 2 others burned

A woman was found dead, and two others were hospitalized with burn injuries after a house fire broke out in Avondale on the night of Feb. 18.

First responders were called to the home near Central Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road at 10:50 p.m. on Feb. 18.

"By the time I came outside, the flame was, like, to the door," said a person who escaped the burning home, identified only as ‘Shirley.' "I went to turn back to get my puppy and my purse and his mom, but I couldn't."

Police say a woman was found dead inside, and two other adults were taken to the Maricopa County Burn Unit. They are expected to survive.

Shirley identified the victim as Esther.

"She was really good. I feel sorry for her, you know what I mean? That she had to go that way," said Shirley. "But if I would have stayed in there, I would have gotten burned too."

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but police say it appears to be accidental.

Family speaks

On Feb. 19, we spoke with the son of the victim.

"I’m doing alright so far. Hasn't really hit me yet," said Martin Cabrera.

"My mom didn’t make it out, but my brother and his son barely made it out. They got burned pretty bad in the back."

Cabrera was living in a small house on the property that was not burned, with his five dogs that are living in the yard.

"I’m waiting to see if they’re going to let me stay here or what, because I don’t have a place to go," said Cabrera.

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