A 35-year-old California man became engulfed in flames near a shopping mall in Victorville. Credit: GoFundMe
A terrifying incident unfolded in a Southern California town that has left a young father of three fighting for his life.
As The Daily Mail reported on Tuesday, a 35-year-old man named Joel from San Bernardino County suddenly burst into flames at a Victorville shopping center near the Mall of Victor Valley.
According to the Victorville Police Department, the incident occurred on March 30 at roughly 7:35 p.m.
When the police arrived, they stumbled upon a gruesome scene, as Joel’s skin was reportedly falling off from the flames.
Joel was left with third-degree burns covering 90% of his body.
He was airlifted to Arrowhead Regional Hospital and is in ‘extremely critical’ condition.
It’s unclear how the fire started, but witnesses told the Victor Valley News that they suspect it could have started in an area that Joel, a transient from nearby Hesperia, used as an encampment.
Joel’s sister-in-law, Jenny Cobb, started a GoFundMe to support his recovery and released the following statement:
Our family is completely heartbroken. 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.
We are leaning on our faith during this time, trusting God, and asking for prayers for Joel’s healing, strength, and recovery.
The road ahead is overwhelming. When Joel is able to recover, he will face multiple surgeries, intensive burn care, risk of infection, and a long, painful rehabilitation process that could take months or even years. Burn recovery is one of the most difficult journeys a person can go through, both physically and emotionally.
We are asking for help so that Joel can focus on fighting for his life and, if he recovers, on healing and getting back to his children—without the added burden of financial stress.
Joel’s family is currently seeking $9,000 in total donations. As of this writing, the GoFundMe has raised just shy of $3,500.
The Daily Mail notes that Joel’s wife, Brittney Buell, died unexpectedly in 2022. The pair shared three children: Aleah, Jimmy, and Joel.
The post HORROR: Father of Three Suddenly BURSTS INTO FLAMES Near California Shopping Mall appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.