The boy who died in the fire was identified as Cashmere Elijah Parker. His father is still in the hospital being treated for fire-related injuries. Police confirmed another person was also injured in the fire.
A neighbor is facing charges related to the boy's death. Dunn police say Brittany Armstrong is charged with involuntary manslaughter and possession of pyrotechnics. She was taken into custody on Tuesday at a hotel in Fayetteville.
Armstrong made her first court appearance Wednesday and is being held on a $75,000 secure bond. Her next court hearing is July 28.
She is accused of igniting an illegal cake-style firework that went out of control, sparking a fire at the Ashbroke Apartments just before 11 p.m. Saturday. They are still investigating where the fireworks were purchased.
Police Chief Lynn Gay explained the dangers of the type of firework used.
"This cake firework is burning and not properly secured by a professional. Once you light that fuse, you don't have control anymore. Fireworks go everywhere. One penetrated the window and caused the fire," Chief Gay said.
The fire left 13 people without a home. According to property management, the fire destroyed four apartment units at the complex. The Red Cross is assisting families as they recover.
Family calls for justice
A growing memorial stands outside the complex as the community mourns the loss. Cashmere's mother, Gloria Parker, described her heartbreak.
"I'm hurting, I'm hurting. I can never see my baby again," she said.
Parker said she watched her son's final moments on the apartment's security cameras.
"He went from one room to the other room just knocking, just saying help, help," she recounted.
Alicia Quick, Cashmere's sister, said she witnessed tears from firefighters at the scene.
"They were exhausted. I seen everybody out crying, including myself, when I found out I lost my baby brother. So it's hard," she said. Quick added that her father suffered greatly from smoke inhalation and is already in poor health.
Tenants warned
"Rules are put in place to prevent tragedies such as this," a property employee said, who has worked at Ashbroke Apartments for more than a decade. The employee, who did not wish to be identified by name, was one of the first to call 911.
The fire occurred just three days after property management delivered letters to every door, reminding renters that grills and fireworks were banned on the premises.
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