Mom Grieves 2 Young Daughters Who Died After Fire Destroyed Their California Mobile Home Days Before Christmas

A California mother is mourning the loss of two young daughters after a fire tore through the family’s home just days before Christmas.

Murrieta Fire & Rescue (MFR) said it received reports of a residential structure fire in the 41000 block of Knight Drive at about 4:42 a.m. local time on Saturday, Dec. 20. When crews arrived, they found five people inside the burning home.

Two occupants and “multiple household pets” were killed in the blaze, according to MFR. Three other occupants were accounted for and taken to a nearby hospital.

The girls were identified as the daughters of Stacey Hales, My Valley News reported, citing a GoFundMe.

The fundraising page was created by Andrea Raikoglo, who described herself as a close friend of Hales. In the post, Raikoglo said Hales remains hospitalized and “doesn’t have any eyesight,” adding that her belongings and vehicle were destroyed in the fire.

“All her belongings are destroyed along with her vehicle,” Raikoglo wrote while appealing for donations toward a $24,000 goal. “We are reaching out to please help them if you can, she has nothing it would really mean a lot. She was renting the trailer she was staying in and had very little as it was. If we can please share and help this poor family, it really means a lot.”

The fundraiser circulated on Facebook, including in a post from a woman who said she is an extended relative. She wrote that the children’s father is also being treated at a hospital, while the family’s surviving 12-year-old daughter is staying with her uncle.

“Now that the family’s names have gone public… It’s my sister-in-law, Stacey Hales and her family,” Jessica Hales wrote. “We lost her eldest child, Braden R Hales, in a tragic car accident 3 yrs ago, and now Stacey has lost 2 of her 3 daughters. The pain is unimaginable.”

MFR said that when firefighters arrived, the mobile home and nearby areas were already heavily involved, including a carport, three vehicles, two outbuildings and a large pine tree.

Crews entered “emergency rescue mode” and launched an aggressive attack on the fire, but officials said the structure’s integrity deteriorated quickly. As teams shifted to a defensive operation, other responders continued searching for anyone trapped inside.

MFR said it took roughly 45 minutes to bring the fire under control. Investigators from Murrieta Fire & Rescue and the Murrieta Police Department are working to determine the fire’s cause and origin.