ST. CLOUD, Fla. — The State Fire Marshal's office is investigating two early-morning fires in St. Cloud that broke out just a few blocks away from each other.

• First fire was at home that cares for those with special needs
• No injuries reported, but the structures were total losses
• The Red Cross is assisting the people impacted by the fire
• HOW YOU CAN HELP: GoFundMe page

Neighbors said they woke up to the sounds of explosions from the fire.

The first call came in for a special needs care home at 900 Alabama Avenue just after 1:30 a.m. 

St. Cloud Fire Rescue officials said there were 11 people in the home that cares for those with special needs, including six children, ranging from teens to young adults.

Firefighters were able to get all 11 people and one cat out from the fire.

Officials said the explosions came from oxygen tanks in the home where a family well-known for caring for and adopting special needs children lived.

The structure is a total loss.

"I heard two explosions. Immediately right away, looked right out the window, saw fire," said Brandon Talley, who lives near the fire scene.

“And I looked out the bedroom window, which you really don’t have to look out, and you see a big burst of fire,” said Darryl Wright, who lives across the street from the home. 

That sound, coming from oxygen tanks exploding at their neighbor's home, according to the St. Cloud Fire Department.  

The family where the fire began is well-known in the community for taking care of and often adopting special needs children in the area. Eleven people were inside at the time, including six children.

Heavy smoke and thick flames on the second floor and near the rear of the home made it challenging for firefighters to reach everyone. For some of the children, all they could do was wait until the firefighters could reach them, unable to get out on their own. 

“All the kids that live here, some of them are vent patients. So, none of them, I believe we’re ambulatory. So when my guys got up there, it was pretty much just scoop and go,” said Chad Peterson, Assistant Fire Chief at the St. Cloud Fire Department. 

A Special Mom

David Foster, who is the son of Gail Foster, the woman who takes care of the children, tells Spectrum News 13 she was in the hospital for an unrelated incident when the fire broke out.

David Foster told us his mother Gail had lived in the home since the mid-90s working to care for children.

"My mom is very special. Her and my father have been involved with special needs children for decades," David Foster said.

Gail is in the hospital after a bad fall and needs surgery, he explained.

"Double whammy with my mom being in the hospital and this happening. This has been a hard struggle on the family," Foster said.

Foster said right now, the focus is on making sure everyone is OK.

"The focus is getting the family, taking care of my mother right now making sure the children are all taken care of and well looked after. That's top priority," he said.

The American Red Cross said it is providing immediate financial assistance to the family of 11.

Many in the community have asked the family how they can help. They've set up a GoFundMe page to help the people impacted.

Another Fire Just Blocks Away

While crews fought this fire, another was reported nearby on Georgia Avenue.

“And one of the neighbors from down the street came down and said there’s another fire. And you look and see all the first responders down the road and the smoke from the other home,” Wright said. 

Two adults and one child were able to get out safely. 

No injuries were reported in either but firefighters say the timing of the two calls is odd.

“I’ve been on 23 years. I’ve not seen that,” said Osceola County Fire Department Battalion Chief Steve Carroll.

“Some people don’t question God but I’m trying to figure out, because with special needs kids, why is this happening right here? And how did that happen around the corner at the same time?” Wright said. 

According to the American Red Cross, the home is a complete loss.

The group is providing immediate financial assistance to the family of four.

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