“You don’t know the pain if you never lost a child,” Gloria Parker, Cashmere Elijah Parker’s mom said

A 7-year-old boy has died and his stepfather was injured in an apartment fire caused by illegal Fourth of July fireworks.

The fire broke out just before 11 p.m. local time on Saturday at the Ashbrooke Apartments on East Pope Street in North Carolina, the Dunn Fire Department told CBS 17.

Four apartments were damaged, including three that were occupied at the time of the blaze, according to the outlet.

The boy who died in the incident was identified by his family and named in a Dunn Police Department press release as Cashmere Elijah Parker.

Family members told CBS 17 that Cashmere was inside his parents’ apartment when the fireworks hit the complex, causing a blaze that trapped him inside a room. They also said his stepfather was injured during the incident, along with another person who attempted to save the 7-year-old.

An investigation determined that the fire originated after an illegal “cake-style” multi-shot firework malfunctioned and discharged horizontally, according to a Dunn Police Department press release, seen by PEOPLE.

“Investigators determined the fireworks had not been properly stabilized, causing projectiles to travel approximately 100 feet before entering the Parker family’s apartment through a window, igniting a fire inside the residence,” it stated.

Police said that despite “desperate efforts to escape,” Cashmere became “trapped by smoke and heat” and died.

Cashmere’s mother, Gloria Parker, told CBS 17: “You don’t know the pain if you never lost a child. I’m still grieving over my mother three years ago. Now this is killing me. It’s killing me. I’m hurting. I’m hurting.”

She watched her son’s final moments from CCTV footage inside their apartment, which showed Cashmere knocking on the doors and windows, screaming for help.

Brittany Raquel Armstrong, 35, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and burning of certain buildings — both of which are felonies. She was also charged with misdemeanor possession of pyrotechnics, according to the release.

The incident happened just three days after management at the property delivered letters to remind residents that grills and fireworks were banned on the premises, ABC 7 Chicago reported.

Dunn Police Chief Timothy “Lynn” Gay said during a press conference on Tuesday, July 7 that Armstrong had failed to turn herself in and was later arrested in Fayetteville, per WRAL.

The release stated that she was arrested without incident at the Holiday Inn Express in Fayetteville and placed in the Harnett County Detention Center under a $75,000 secured bond.

She appeared in court on Wednesday, July 8 and next court appearance is July 28, WRAL reported.

A GoFundMe page has since been set up to help support Cashmere’s family after what they describe as a “heartbreaking tragedy.”

The fundraiser reads: “As this family faces unimaginable grief, they are also dealing with the overwhelming financial burden of funeral expenses, temporary housing, replacing personal belongings, and other unexpected costs brought on by this devastating fire.”

“We are asking our community, friends, neighbors, and anyone moved by this tragedy to come together in support of this family during their darkest time. No donation is too small, and every contribution will help ease some of the financial stress as they focus on mourning the loss of their beloved child,” the author of the page added.

Chief Gay said in the release: “This is one of the most heartbreaking investigations our department has ever conducted. Our detectives, fire investigators, and partner agencies have worked tirelessly to determine exactly what occurred and to ensure accountability where the evidence supports criminal charges. While today’s arrest is an important step in the judicial process, nothing will ever lessen the unimaginable loss suffered by Cashmere’s family.”

He emphasized that the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with illegal fireworks, adding: “Illegal fireworks are not harmless entertainment—they are powerful explosive devices capable of causing catastrophic damage and taking innocent lives.”

The investigation into the incident remains active and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Dunn Police Department at (910) 892-2399 or Harnett County Communications at (910) 893-9111.

Source: https://people.com/7-year-old-dies-in-apartment-fire-caused-by-illegal-fireworks-on-july-4-12015922