House fire fatal

— Elena Martinez, 3, was memorialized Tuesday by family and friends in a funeral at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Rogers.

The pre-school girl died Friday night when she hid in a closet of her home during a house fire, according to law enforcement officials.

Firefighters from five departments responded to the mobilehome fire at 11398 Indian HillsBoulevard in rural Avoca about 6 p.m. Friday. The residence of Daniel and Maria Martinez was about 50 percent involved when firefighters arrived, according to Avoca Fire Chief Frankie Elliott,who said an ambulance helicopter was standing by in case the child was found alive.

“We weren’t 100 percent sure she was inside,” Elliott said Monday. “It’s hard, especially if you’vegot young kids that age. Any fire death is hard.”

Firefighters from all departments were offered a debriefingsession Saturday by a chaplain, Elliott said.

After extinguishing the fire, firefighters found the child hidden in a closet.

They did not move her, Elliott said. The coroner was called to the scene.

According to Benton County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Mike Sydoriak, the father, a 16-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter were also home at the time of the fire.

The cause of the fire has not been determined, but appears to have begun on a back deck, according to Benton County Fire Marshal Marc Trollinger.

Fire investigator James Birchfield with the Bentonville Fire Department is assisting in the investigation, Sydoriak said.

Benton County Sheriff Keith Ferguson said the mother said the child was very shy.

Representatives from the Red Cross - Bill Carmichael, Lori Mason and Linda Morgan - quickly arrived on the scene to assist the family, offering a place to stay, clothing, personal hygiene items and toys for the children.

BCSO Captain Hunter Petray said the father attempted to go back inside the house once he realized Elena was missing, but was unable to reach her.

“It’s very unfortunate and the family is devastated and rightfully so,” Petray said.

Mobile homes on treelined lots fill the street.

Neighbors waiting for word on the incident said that the line of mobile homes wrapped to the end of the dead end road.

Five fire departments - Avoca, Pea Ridge, Northeast Benton County, Bentonville and Rogers - responded to the fire.

News, Pages 1 on 04/11/2012