Updated Report on 'Horrible' Brandon Fire That Cost 2 Toddlers Their Lives

Toddler twins from Tampa perished in the aftermath of a single-story residential fire in Brandon after their mother left the home to meet a friend, leaving the boys in the home with a pair of sleeping adults, according to an updated report from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

What happened after that is “horrible,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff’s spokesperson Debbie Carter in a phone interview. “Horrible.”

Shortly after midnight, "when the mother returned to the house and she was notified about what had happened, she was totally grief-stricken,” Carter said. “Basically, she just collapsed on the ground." 

Neighbors told 10 News, reported at WTSP.com, about their recollections of the fire scene itself and their reactions to the tragic events.

According to the updated sheriff's report, issued at around 2 p.m. Sept. 15, Jaimey Sims, 19, who lives at 4516 North Lincoln Ave. in Tampa, arrived at the Brandon home with her boys at around 10:30 p.m. the night before.

The boys, Rishaw and Richie Edwards, who turned 2 in June, fell asleep and were put to bed by their mother in what was reported to be their bedroom, at 101 Foxwood Drive in Brandon, just north of Brandon Boulevard and Hilltop Drive.

“At approximately 11:45 p.m., mom left the residence to meet a friend, leaving the children sleeping,” according to the report.

The fire reportedly started less than an hour later, at around 12:20 a.m.

Firefighters arriving on the scene reportedly found the home engulfed in heavy smoke, with fire already extended into the roof.

According to the sheriff’s report, the home’s owner, Linda Morgan, 51, and her fiancé, Elmer Morales, 60, left the home unharmed and Morgan made the emergency call.

“They got out fine and she called 911,” Carter said. “They just didn’t know [the boys] were there until the firefighters went in and discovered them.”

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Emergency crews aggressively battling the fire found the Edwards twins and immediately began resuscitation efforts.

According to the latest sheriff’s report, Morgan called the boys’ mother on her cell phone and she returned to the house.

The latest report notes that Rishaw Edwards was transported to Brandon Regional Hospital and that his brother, Richie, was taken to Tampa General. Both boys were pronounced deceased at the hospitals.

The homeowner reportedly is the children’s great aunt and, according to the sheriff’s office’s earlier report, “The children’s mother sometimes stays at that residence and had apparently come over after the aunt and her fiancé had gone to bed and were sleeping."

About 24 firefighters reportedly tackled the fire and brought it under control within about 10 minutes.

The incident is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal's office, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.