A man in Florida faces charges for the tragic deaths of two children, ages 9 and 7, after allegedly setting fire to a mobile home where they were present. According to witnesses, the children’s mother attempted a desperate rescue by entering the burning trailer, but her efforts were ultimately in vain.

Neighbor John Wenzel recounted the incident to local CBS affiliate WEAR, saying, “She went into the trailer trying to get them. That’s a mother’s love. She went inside the house trying to get her kids, but [it was] too hot.”

Authorities have identified the suspect as 27-year-old John Henry Walston Jr. He is accused of sexually assaulting one of the children—9-year-old Vayden Orum and 7-year-old Rayden Smith—within his trailer at the Grand Oak Mobile Home Park in Escambia County, before taking their lives.

Following the alleged murders, Walston is said to have ignited the property early Friday morning and fled the scene. The children’s mother, who braved the flames in a rescue attempt, survived and was taken to a nearby hospital for burn treatment. Walston also received medical care for his injuries before being taken into custody by law enforcement.

Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons clarified in a video shared on Facebook, “These children were not killed because of the fire. [Walston] assaulted one, then killed them both before saving himself.”

Walston reportedly resided in the mobile home with his family, including two children of his own. Tyler Smith, father of Rayden Smith and stepfather to Vayden Orum, mentioned to WEAR that he had known Walston for several years, noting that the victims were also residents of the mobile home park.

Smith said his kids were allegedly staying over at Walston’s trailer with his own children during the incident.

“How can you expect any human being to do this?” Smith told WEAR. “John, I hope they give you hell in prison, because you better be glad they found you before I did.”

Walston has been charged with two counts of premeditated murder, one count of sexual assault on a victim under 12, and one count of arson. His first court date has been set for Nov. 26 and he’s being held until then without bond.

“I don’t know what else I can say about this terrible event except for please hug your children,” Simmons, the sheriff, concluded in his Facebook video.

The victims’ grandmother, Lisa Pinegar, described their deaths as a “bad dream” while speaking to WEAR over the weekend. “A real bad dream,” she said, recalling how the kids had a sibling who talked to her over the phone about what happened.

“He said, ‘Mommy has been life flighted to the hospital. My brother and sister is no longer here, they’re dead,’” Pinegar recounted. “He just kept telling me over and over and I didn’t believe it. I didn’t want to believe it.”