LAS VEGAS - Smoke and flames filled the skies in the southeast part of the valley Tuesday - a terrible way to start Christmas morning.
A fire broke out shortly before 7 a.m. in a single-wide mobile home at the Miracle Mile Mobile Home Park at 3642 Boulder Highway.
"I woke up, and I heard a firework popping up like 'vroosh,'" said neighbor Francisco Mendez.
Neighbors say they did all they could when they heard the crackling and tried to break into the burning home to save the couple who lived there. Neighbors say a man and woman - both in their thirties - were trapped inside.
"I saw two rocks there, so I got the rocks, and I threw it inside the window," said neighbor Francisco Fabian. "He got the shovel and tried to open the window on this side."
Clark County firefighters rushed to the scene. Everyone hoped for a Christmas miracle at the Miracle Mile Mobile Home Park, but the obstacles were too much for first responders. Fire investigators say the two victims died in the bedroom near the back of the home.
"The door was locked, and whenever you have to force entry, and you have heavy smoke coming out of the door, that could be a challenge," said Clark County Fire Chief Bertral Washington. "Just to maneuver around in this close quarters are also a challenge."
Investigators are trying to figure out what started the fire. They say the 1970's style mobile home acted like a tin can once flames caught and burned too hot, too quickly. Neighbors say this is the fourth mobile home to burn down in the park this year.
"It's so sad, because everybody is trying to wake up and open their gifts and having fun, and this happening - especially in front of my house. It's so sad. My kids are crying over it," Mendez said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The Clark County Coroner's Office still has not identified the victims.
