LA PORTE, Texas – A father went back into his family's burning home in La Porte early Wednesday to rescue his young son only to die along with him, authorities confirmed.
Neighbors said Bobby Owens had escaped the fire but ran back inside to find his 5-year-old son, Shane. Neither made it out alive.
"Bobby came outside and rushed right back into the blaze to go rescue his son, and he didn't make it. It is tough. Bobby was a hero," said Matt Graves, who was to become Owens' brother-in-law.
"I am at a loss for words, I don't know what else I can say, it is horrible."
The tragedy struck when fire broke out in the home in the 3800 block of West Teakwood Drive around 3:44 a.m.
Owens' 11-year-old stepdaughter woke up to find flames and ran next door to a neighbor's home for help.
"They had just had a fire drill so she knew exactly what to do," said Graves.
Firefighters from La Porte and Deer Park arrived, and located the boy first.
He was pulled out and transported to Bayshore Hospital with emergency personnel performing CPR en route.
Afterward, they found Owens, who was unresponsive and was later pronounced dead along with his son.
"I have not had someone that young pass away so close to me before. It is going to be really tough," said Graves.
The girl was taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.
She is expected to make a full recovery.
Family members say her mother was at work when the fire started and the couple had gotten married a year ago.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.