Neighbor Rescues Two Small Boys in Apartment Fire

At least nine people are without homes after a fire caused about $100,000 in damages to an apartment building on West Hillsborough Avenue shortly before midnight. But the loss could have been much greater, according to emergency responders.

The fire at the two-story at 5305 N. Boulevard ended with no serious injuries thanks to a neighbor who rushed back into a burning apartment to rescue two small children, Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Bill Wade said in a news release.

When Latrina Gillyard, 29, awoke to find her apartment on fire she had only enough time to grab the youngest of her three children, a baby, and get outside, Wade said. Neighbor and National Guardsman Jesus Broche, 25, was outside and heard Gillyard screaming about her other two children still trapped inside.

“He ran into the burning apartment, grabbed the two young boys and got them out safely,” Wade said. “Fire crews have emphatically stated if not for the heroic actions of Mr. Broche the children would most likely have perished.”

Broche suffered minor smoke inhalation and was treated on scene by paramedics, but he refused to go to the hospital, Wade said.

Firefighters moved quickly to evacuate residents and had the fire under control in about 30 minutes after arrival, Wade said.

This morning, investigators from the Tampa Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the scene for a cause. The fire did not appear to be suspicious, Wade said. Damages were estimated to be at least $100,000.

The American Red Cross is assisting residents with temporary shelter.