Firefighters were called to the apartment at 608 19th St. at about 12:35 a.m. The fire was reported on the second floor of the two-story, four-unit complex, Richmond fire Chief Michael Banks said.
When firefighters arrived, they found the apartment engulfed in heavy smoke and flames. The three adult residents of the apartment had already escaped the blaze and other residents living in the building were in the process of evacuating, Banks said.
When firefighters went into the apartment, they found 5-year-old Kristopher Love on the living room floor. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene, Banks said.
Firefighters had the fire under control within about 20 minutes, but damages to the structure and contents are estimated to be about $300,000, Banks said.
Kristopher's 37-year-old mother suffered first- and second-degree burns to her arms, forehead and nose, and a 28-year-old woman who also lived at the apartment suffered second-degree burns to her left hand and an injured ankle, Banks said. Both women were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
A 17-year-old resident suffered wrist lacerations but was not transported to a hospital, Banks said.
Fire investigators remained at the apartment until about 3 a.m. Thursday.
