By By Adam Prestridge
The Atmore community remains in shock following the death of a 4-year-old who was killed in a 6th Avenue fire earlier this week.
The fire claimed the life Dylan Barnhill, and family and friends, as well as those that did not personally know the family, remain in mourning over the loss.
Lowery said that she was unaware that the Barnhill’s home, located at 214 6th Ave., was on fire until rescue personnel began arriving on the scene.
According to reports, Dylan’s mother, Jessica Barnhill, was able to get another child, Fredrick, 3, out of the house uninjured, but was unable to get Dylan out. According to neighbors, Jessica told them that she could hear the 4-year-old screaming for her, but could not locate him. A third child, Teressa, 5, was in school at Huxford Elementary School at the time of the fire.
The fire broke out just before 10:30 a.m. completely engulfing the home. Fire personnel were able to locate Dylan inside the home and pull him from the fire, rushing him across the front yard to waiting EMS officials. Paramedics with Atmore Ambulance transferred the child to Atmore Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
According to State Fire Marshal Ed Paulk, who was on the scene the afternoon of the fire and Thursday, the initial investigation indicates that the fire began in the kitchen.
Personnel with Atmore Fire Department were the first on the scene and were assisted by the Poarch Fire Department and Atmore Police Department.
Lowery said she is proud to live in a close-knit community like Atmore with residents who have rallied around the Barnhill family in their time of need.
Several businesses in town have set up collections sites for clothing and other necessities the family is in need of after losing everything they owned in the fire.
Hackman added that the Red Cross is also counseling the family during this tough time.
Family will receive friends and family from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. tonight, Feb. 13 at Petty-Eastside Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday.
For information about donating to the family, visit the Atmore Red Cross office, located at 205 E. Church St. or call Hackman at 368-3643, during morning hours. A drop off point for clothing, household items and other necessities has also been established at Coley Petals and Parties, 301 N. Main St, during weekdays.
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