MILWAUKEE — A four-year-old Milwaukee boy died in an apartment fire near 84th and Bender in Milwaukee Sunday afternoon.
Relatives identified the victim as Ja’ Rome Watson Clark. They have a GoFundMe fundraiser for his family.
Police said the home caught fire around 4 p.m. Milwaukee firefighters found the boy in the burning building and brought him to the hospital, where he died from injuries.
"I think we’re just processing all of this. We’re processing it," said Dr. Tamika Johnson, a cousin of Ja'Rome's mother.
Ja'Rome was always smiling and loved Paw Patrol, according to his family. He had six other siblings including one that passed away in 2020 from a birth defect.
Johnson said Ja'Rome snuck off from his mom and siblings who were watching television. His mother noticed he left when she heard a loud boom from upstairs.
"She tried her best to go to the room and try to find him but the smoke was heavy. Neighbors came to help and they couldn’t find him, but firefighters found him," Dr. Johnson said.
"We just ask for prayers. For those in the community, if you can’t give anything just give prayers because she’s going to need it. Our family's going to need it. Her children is going to need the prayers," Dr. Johnson said.
Police said the fire does not appear suspicious but the cause is not known.
