Tonight investigators share new details on what lead up to the devastating fire that claimed three lives. The blaze trapped a woman, her infant daughter and the woman's brother inside. Their closest friends are in mourning and struggling with the fact that they were not able to help.
Fire investigators say improperly spliced wires providing power to the home caused the fire. Elena Diaz, 20, her 14-month-old and her brother Rodolfo Villalba, 17, were in the back bedroom when the fire broke out. The flames and bars on the windows kept them from escaping.
Maria Rodriguez and her daughter were living with the family. Maria describes what her daughter says she heard as she stood outside.
Investigators say all three died from smoke inhalation. Elena's brother, Rodolfo, was a student at Chaparral High School. Tonight the school is coming together to help the community cope with the loss.
"The day before he left, he hit me on the back and he says, 'I'll see you tomorrow morning Mr. D'," said soccer coach Jose Diosdado. "That was the last time I saw him".
Diosdado is talking about Rodolfo Villalba, one of three victims from Tuesday night's fatal fire. Memories are all friends and faculty have left of this quiet, hard-working young man.
"It was him, the one that would make fun of me and joke around. And not to have him no more, I just can't believe it's him," said close friend Natalie Campos.
Rodolfo was a goalie on the school's soccer team. Teammates remember his drive. "The last day I saw him, we were at practice," said teammate Ruben Torres.
Chaparral is a small community. Everyone feels the pain when something like this happens. Students are trying to help the family by donating money. So far, they've contributed more than $1,000. The school is also raffling off a Christmas display, with the money going to the boy's family.
"As a coach, I feel that I lost a little piece of my heart," said coach Diosdado.
Natalie Campos wishes she had one more chance to speak with her friend. If she could, she knows what she would say. "I wish I had spent more time with him," said Campos, "and that we'll always remember him, and that I just wish he was here with us".
He'll be remembered as a good friend, a fellow student, and goalie full of determination. His friends say his memory will live on inside these halls.
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