A house fire in Fort Worth’s southside left one family facing an unthinkable tragedy after it claimed the life of a five-year-old boy and left two of his siblings hospitalized with severe injuries.
The blaze broke out on June 25, 2026, at a residence on McCart Avenue, killing young Lyxander Barboza Mendoza. Family support workers from Cornerstone Assistance Network, who are now assisting the Barboza household, described the boy as the emotional center of the home — a cheerful child deeply attached to both parents.
Two of Lyxander’s siblings are still being treated at the burn unit of Parkland Hospital. His 17-year-old sister, Violeta, suffered third-degree burns and faces a long road to recovery. Her injuries are reportedly the most severe in the family — she is said to have rushed back into the fire in an attempt to save her younger brother, which is why the majority of her burns are concentrated on her body. A 12-year-old brother, Angel, remains hospitalized as well, while an 8-year-old sibling, Azul, was treated and has since been released.
According to those assisting the family, the children’s mother was on her way to the emergency room for an unrelated illness when she received a frantic call from one of her daughters, who described smelling smoke moments before an explosion was heard.
The Barboza family has lost their home and belongings in the fire and is currently staying in a hotel while relatives and community organizers coordinate support. A fundraiser has been set up to help cover medical costs, given that the surviving children are expected to remain hospitalized for an extended period.
A community vigil in memory of Lyxander Barboza Mendoza is scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Foster Park in Fort Worth.