CHAPARRAL, N.M. -- The University of New Mexico Office of the Medical Examiner said Rodolfo Villalba, 17, his sister Elena Millan, 20, and her 14-month-old daughter Aileen Millan died from smoke inhalation in Wednesday's mobile home fire in Chaparral

Dona Ana County authorities believe the fire that started at 11:25 p.m. at 2560 Capital Drive was caused by improperly spliced wires providing power to the home. Volunteers from the Chaparral and Anthony Volunteer Fire Districts responded to the fire at 11:41 p.m.

Investigators said all three of the victims were in the back bedroom of the single-wide mobile home. They said bars on the windows and smoke in the hallway prevented them from escaping the fire.

Neighbors, friends and family members cried outside the home Thursday afternoon as fire investigators tore through the debris to figure out what caused the fire.

"Everybody told me they were screaming," said Marcos Reyes, a neighbor and friend who ran over to help. "I tried. We tried, but we couldn't get them out."

"So we got even more panicked," said Reyes' brother Felipe. "We started using the hose, the blanket, water, an ax, all that. We couldn't help them."

A man and woman at the opposite end of the mobile home were able to make it out uninjured.

The victims' bodies were sent to the University of New Mexico Office of the Medical Examiner to determine whether they died from smoke inhalation or burns.

Reyes said the three victims had just moved into the mobile home a week ago after living in Chaparral for three years.

Villalba was a junior at Chaparral High School, played on the school soccer team and had dreams of joining the military.

"He was a happy person," said Reyes. "He always made us laugh. He was always making jokes. He was an interesting guy to tell you the truth. He always helped us with everything. We had a lot of respect for him."

Officials at Chaparral High School are gathering donations to help the victims' family pay for funeral services. An account has also been set up at Wells Fargo.