The victims in a fatal fire have been identified as Shenea Gates, 27 and her daughter Rhilynn Gates, 2.
BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The victims in a fatal fire have been identified as Shenea Gates, 27 and her daughter Rhilynn Gates, 2.
According to Yvonne Martinez, Palm Bay Public Information Coordinator, the cause of the fire is undetermined, but the fire marshal believes it is non-criminal in nature and most likely accidental.
The fire remains under investigation.
At 8:52 a.m. emergency dispatchers received a 911 call from a Waste Management employee who reported seeing smoke coming from a home in the 2800 block of Fox Glove Ave SW.
When firefighters arrived they confirmed the home was full of smoke and found two victims inside. The mother and child were pulled from the home and attempts to revive them were unsuccessful.
The smoke alarms inside the home were not working. The fire appears to have started in the laundry room.
Both victims were asleep when Shenea Gates woke up to the smoke in the house. It is believed that when she attempted to pinpoint the source of the smoke she opened the laundry room door and was overcome by the flames and smoke.
She attempted to return to her bedroom but was not able to escape.
Ron Bailey
“This is one of those unfortunate and tragic accidents,” said Palm Bay Fire Ron Bailey.
“We are still working with the State Fire Marshal’s office to confirm the exact cause of the fire.”
The victim’s boyfriend was out of the county when the fire started and has been been notified.
