Boy killed in fire: "He was happy all the time"

Port Richey, Florida - Soot blackens the outside of the Port Richey home and, while a room in back still contains crayons, it's the death of a young child that colors the mood in this neighborhood. A 6-year-old boy died of his injuries.

"A lot of screaming; just horrible," neighbor David Brooks says of the scene Sunday night. And after hearing about the boy's death, Brooks felt compelled to hug his own son, Jacob.

"I had to wake him up from a dead sleep - to feel that love - that they can't feel for their kid anymore," says a teary-eyed Brooks, giving the toddler a kiss on the cheek.

A neighbor tells 10 Connects that the family's Sunday started with a lot of fun. The kids played at a company picnic, but their day ended with fire and tragedy.

The fire started about 11:15 p.m Sunday. Investigators have not yet determined a cause.

Two boys, ages two and five, were not injured. Their mother, Danielle Hopkins, received minor injuries and is in good condition at Tampa General Hospital.

It's also thought that Michael Hatalski, the father of the five-year-old, was airlifted to TGH with second-degree burns, but TGH cannot confirm that information and no condition has been released.

The boy who died, Brice Atkeson, was a first grader at Gulf Highlands Elementary. Grief counselors were on hand today to speak with both children and staff.

Some relatives of the family stopped by the house briefly on Monday. Jerome Atkeson, the boy's Uncle, says he's stunned by the loss and describes a child taken too soon.

"He's just the sweetest kid you'll know," says Jerome. "He was always happy; that's Brice."