5-year-old boy dies in Mars Hill fire

A five-year-old boy who died in a house fire last week in the Mars Hill community was remembered by his sisters as sweet, loving, and outgoing.

Sheriff Eric Clark identified the victim as Delvechio “D.J.” Coburn Jr.

Dakota White recalled a recent trip to the Children’s Museum in Meridian with her brother.

“He was very happy and excited. He was just a kid and was happy to be out,” White said. “It was a really good time.”

Coburn’s parents are Delvechio Coburn Sr. and Kristal Hatcher. He had four sisters, Diamond Bumbry, Gabrielle Segears, Madison White, and Dakota White.

The boy liked trucks, cars, airplanes, dinosaurs, and colors. 

Dakota White said she had a strong bond with her brother because she practically helped to raise him.

D.J. was described as “outgoing and full of energy” super funny, a jokester, and a prankster.

He was in kindergarten at Neshoba Central and was so excited to be taking the bus to school by himself, his family said.

A GoFundMe page “Delvechio Coburn Jr” has been set up to help the family with funeral costs and necessities.

“They lost everything, all they have left is the clothes on their backs,” Segears said. “We are asking for prayers and any donations to help cover funeral expenses and to help our surviving family members recover and get back on their feet.”

As of Tuesday, $5,689 of a $15,000 goal had been raised.

Authorities are investigating the structure fire at the residence early Thursday morning, Clark said.

According to Clark, emergency personnel were able to recover Coburn’s remains after extinguishing the fire at the home on Road 737.

Emergency personnel arrived on the scene at 5:04 a.m.

Clark said they had the fire under control by about 7:30 a.m. and emergency personnel had cleared the scene by 9:37 a.m.

Coburn’s mom had already left for work and Clark said his father and two siblings were able to escape the blaze.

Clark said one of the sisters was transported by EMS to Neshoba General as a precautionary measure due to possible smoke inhalation.

An investigation has determined that the fire likely started in the laundry room and was electrical, officials said.

The North Bend, Longingo, House, East Neshoba, and Tucker volunteer fire departments responded as well as the Philadelphia Fire Department.