California Father of Three Suffers 90% Burns in Victorville Mall Fire
A 35-year-old father of three from California, identified only as Joel, is fighting for his life after suddenly bursting into flames outside a shopping centre in Victorville. The incident, which occurred on March 30 around 7:35 pm near the Mall of Victor Valley, left Joel with devastating third-degree burns covering over 90 percent of his body.
Police and Witness Accounts of the Tragic Incident
The Victorville Police Department received multiple frantic reports of a man engulfed in flames, with one horrified bystander describing how the victim's skin was 'falling off.' Officers located Joel, whom they described as a transient from the nearby town of Hesperia, approximately nine miles south in San Bernardino County.
Witnesses speaking to Victor Valley News suggested the fire may have originated in an area Joel was using as a makeshift encampment. Video footage reviewed by the outlet showed a massive blaze burning near an electrical box surrounded by dense bushes.
Deputies discovered items consistent with combustible materials at the scene, leading to a preliminary determination that the fire was accidental, according to an official statement from the Victorville Police Department.
Critical Condition and Family's Heartbreaking Plea
Joel was airlifted to Arrowhead Regional Hospital, where he remains in critical condition, as reported by KTLA. His family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support what they describe as an extensive and painful recovery journey ahead.
'Our family is completely heartbroken,' reads the emotional tribute on the fundraising page created by his sister-in-law, Jenny Cobb. 'Joel is a father of three, and his children need him. Watching someone you love go through something this devastating is something you can never be prepared for.'
The family is leaning on their faith during this traumatic time, asking for prayers for Joel's healing, strength, and recovery. According to loved ones, his long road ahead will involve multiple complex surgeries, extensive skin grafts, intensive burn care, and a gruelling rehabilitation process.
Family History and Ongoing Investigations
Tragically, Joel's wife, Brittney Buell, died unexpectedly in 2022, as documented in a separate GoFundMe organised by Cobb at that time. The couple shared three children: Aleah, Jimmy, and Joel.
The family is seeking $9,000 in donations to cover physical therapy, specialised burn treatment, essential medications, and basic living expenses during Joel's prolonged recovery. 'Joel is deeply loved. He is not just a patient—he is a father, a brother, and someone who matters deeply to all of us,' the fundraising page emphasises.
Several compassionate bystanders stopped to assist Joel before emergency crews arrived at the scene. Both the Victorville Police Department’s Arson/Bomb Detail and the San Bernardino County Arson Investigator are actively investigating the incident to determine the exact cause of the fire.
