FOUR OAKS – The cause of a fire last month that claimed the life of a Four Oaks teenager remains a mystery.
Around 2:10am on December 8th, a fire started inside a home at 5083 Highway 301 South near Four Oaks. 14 year-old Melonie Trejo Urbina, an 8th grader at Four Oaks Middle School and her brother, 15 year-old Juan Carlos Urbina, had to be rescued from the burning home by Four Oaks firefighters. Melonie died the following day at the Burn Center at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.
Her brother, Juan and their mother, Wendy Urbina, 34, were seriously injured but did survive and are now out of the hospital doing much better, according to Johnston County Fire Marshal Adam Stanley. Wendy’s husband, Jorge Barahona, was able to escape and run to a neighbors home for help. He was not injured.
Stanley told WTSB News the cause of the fatal fire has been ruled as ‘undetermined’. Investigators know the blaze started somewhere in the living room area and spread throughout the home, but because of the extensive damage, officials were unable to pinpoint the exact origin. There were no working smoke alarms in the home, the fire marshal confirmed.
Funeral services for Melonie Urbina were held on December 9th. She was remembered for her beautiful smile, passion for art, sports and helping others whenever she could. She loved attending church and had an open heart toward everyone that knew her, according to her obituary.
Scene photos by John Payne
