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Fifth family member dies after two weeks in hospital following tragic Tempe mobile home fire

The fire at Chaparral Village mobile home park claimed the lives of all five family members, with the cause still under investigation.

TEMPE, Ariz. — After fighting for her life for more than two weeks, a mother has died, making her the fifth person to lose their life as a result of a mobile home fire, according to the Tempe Police Department

On Aug. 25, a home in the Chaparral Village mobile home park, which is near Kyrene and Baseline roads in Tempe, caught fire. 

That fire has now led to the deaths of all five family members who were inside. 

A woman, 51-year-old Monica Ruiz, and a child, 3-year-old Ariareli "Rose" Ruiz, were found dead inside the home after the fire. 

Three people, 24-year-old Enrique "Junior" Ruiz, 18-month-old Ellany Ruiz and 22-year-old Valerie Magana-Gonzalez were all taken to the hospital. 

Tempe police announced that Junior and Ellany Ruiz died on Aug. 27, two days after the fire. 

Magana-Gonzalez had been in the hospital in critical condition for more than two weeks, but died at about 10:30 p.m. on Friday, police announced on Saturday. 

Junior Ruiz and Magana-Gonzalez were the parents of Rose and Ellany Ruiz. Monica Ruiz was Enrique's mother and the children's grandmother.  

Tempe police said the cause of the fire has not been determined and that they and the Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department are continuing to investigate.   

Fire investigators did say at the time of the fire that they were not sure if the smoke detectors in the home were working. 

Anyone with information on how the fire started is asked to call the Tempe Police Department at (480) 350-8311. Callers can remain anonymous.   

If you want to help the family, donations are being accepted by Junior Ruiz's sister. Donations can be sent anonymously through Zelle to synthia0815@gmail.com. 

   

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