Southside blaze claims young life, leaves siblings with severe burns
A June 25 house fire on McCart Avenue in Fort Worth’s southside killed 5-year-old Lyxander Barboza Mendoza and hospitalized three of his siblings, two of whom remain in the burn unit at Parkland Hospital, a family social worker said Thursday.
Social worker Martha Piñon of Cornerstone Assistance Network, who is helping the family, said the family lost everything in the fire and is staying at a hotel while recovery and treatment continue. Piñon organized an online fundraiser to help cover medical and living expenses.
"He was always loving on mom and dad. He was just the life of the home. He was the baby,"
Piñon described the household’s injuries and what preceded the blaze. She said 17-year-old Violeta suffered third-degree burns and is undergoing a long recovery process in Parkland’s burn unit. Her 12-year-old brother, Angel, is also in the burn unit. An 8-year-old sibling, Azul, was treated at the hospital and released.
Piñon said Violeta sustained particularly severe burns because she tried to rescue Lyxander from the flames. "She did try to save her little brother [Lyxander Barboza], and that is why she had the majority of the burns on her body," Piñon said.
Community and medical implications
The incident highlights several local concerns: pediatric burn care capacity in the region, long-term rehabilitation and psychological support for child survivors, and short-term housing and financial needs for families displaced by residential fires. Parkland and other regional hospitals maintain specialized burn units, but severe pediatric burns often require extended hospitalization, grafting surgeries and rehabilitative services.
- Immediate needs: ongoing medical care for two children in the burn unit, short-term housing, clothing and basic necessities.
- Long-term concerns: reconstructive surgeries, therapy, and psychological support for surviving children and parents.
- Community response: a GoFundMe has been organized to assist the family; social services are coordinating aid.
Authorities have not released details publicly about the blaze’s ignition or whether investigators have determined a cause. Piñon said the children’s mother was en route to an emergency room when she received a call from one of her daughters reporting a burning smell and an explosion.
| Child | Age | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Lyxander Barboza Mendoza | 5 | Deceased (died in fire) |
| Violeta | 17 | In burn unit, third-degree burns |
| Angel | 12 | In burn unit |
| Azul | 8 | Treated and released from hospital |
The loss and injuries have reverberated through the neighborhood. Local nonprofits and social workers typically coordinate immediate relief for families affected by residential fires; longer-term recovery often involves multiple community partners, including hospitals, counseling services and faith-based groups.
Officials asked anyone with information about the fire or who wishes to assist the family to contact Cornerstone Assistance Network or the GoFundMe organizer coordinated by Piñon. Investigators and first responders on scene have not issued a public update on the blaze’s cause.
The tragedy underscores the toll residential fires can take on families and the sustained resources required to treat severe pediatric burns and support recovery in Fort Worth and across Tarrant County.
