Relatives of a Metairie man who remained hospitalized in critical condition Friday say he was severely burned while rescuing his 4-year-old nephew from the two-alarm fire that ripped through their four-plex Tuesday evening.

Jefferson Parish officials have also released the cause of the fire: burning incense sticks that dropped onto some cloth.

Duglas Edgardo Turcios, 25, suffered burns on 40% of his body, including his face, neck, chest, arms and feet, according to his stepmother, Stacy Turcios, 58.

"My son has a long recovery ahead of him," she said Friday.

His nephew and Stacy Turcios' grandson, 4-year-old Darién Jahziel Martínez Turcios, was also still hospitalized Friday at Manning Family Children's hospital in New Orleans after suffering burns to his legs, back, neck and hands

See Full Page