BRYAN, TX — A quiet north Bryan neighborhood is in mourning after a house fire left a family and their dog dead Wednesday morning.
“It’s extremely shocking, man. I didn’t know the guy or family very well. I spoke to them, talk to them one time. But just to come out here at the time of night and see what’s going on, it was pretty shocking,” said neighbor Daljuin Polk.
Bryan fire crews responded to the home located in the 2100 Block of Cabot Circle around 2:15 a.m. Firefighters located three unresponsive people inside the residence. All three people were removed from the house and first responders attempted life-saving measures.
After being transported to CHI St. Joseph hospital, all three passed away. The victims have been identified as 38-year-old Bobby McMasters, 32-year-old Heather McMasters, and 8-year-old John McMasters.
“They located a victim in the first bedroom they came to, then a second victim and then ultimately third. All three were transported. Unfortunately, they did pass away,” said Assistant Fire Marshall Gerald Burnett.
The fire also spread to a nearby home, damaging the roof and attic and displacing two individuals.
“We have some smoke, so obviously we’re going to have to have repairs made. The Red Cross responded to give them temporary assistance,” said Burnett.
Fire investigators have confirmed the smoke detectors inside the house were not working, which they say could have ultimately saved this family.
“Every fatality fire that we have had in town this year, we have not had working smoke detectors. That's a big factor,” said Burnett.
This tragedy is even causing neighbors to check their smoke alarms
“That's the first thing my wife said last night when we got to bed because I know our smoke detectors aren’t working either, so yeah we have to get some new smoke detectors, new batteries, and everything in our house also,” said Polk.
Officials are asking for prayers as they work to contact the victims' extended family.
How the fire started is still unknown. Fire investigators will determine the cause later. In the meantime, as neighbors wait for answers, they are coping with the loss of their neighbors.