By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
HAMPTON, Va. — Authorities are investigating a tragic house fire that claimed the lives of a Virginia mother and her 3-year-old daughter after flames engulfed a family home early in the morning.
According to family members and fire officials, 34-year-old Destiny Wilson suffered severe burns after allegedly setting herself on fire inside a Hampton residence around 7 a.m. Her daughter, Jamie Lee, who had multiple disabilities, was trapped inside the home as the fire quickly spread.
Wilson’s mother, Tawana Wilson, said several relatives were inside the residence when the incident occurred. Family members reportedly rushed to help and attempted to extinguish the flames by pulling Wilson into a shower. However, the fire spread rapidly through the house and reached the room where Jamie was located.
Hampton Fire & Rescue crews responded to the scene and worked to bring the blaze under control. Officials said the fire became too intense for rescuers to reach the child. Jamie was pronounced dead at the scene, while Wilson was transported to a hospital with critical burn injuries. She later died.
Family members said Wilson had struggled with mental illness and the challenges of caring for a child with significant medical needs. Her mother said Wilson had previously received mental health treatment and had made suicidal threats in the past.
Six people were reportedly inside the home when the fire broke out, including a 10-year-old child who survived. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident through Hampton Fire & Rescue and local fire marshals.