Janice R. Andrews
A father and four children sadly perished in a terrible house fire that destroyed their home in Jeannette, Pennsylvania. Around midnight on Wednesday, personnel raced to the Guy Street scene after the nighttime fire.
Reports from Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson that PEOPLE was able to get state that when the fire broke out, eight people were inside the house. Regretfully, Tyler J. King (27), Kyson John (7), Kinzleigh John (6), Keagan John (3), and Korbyn John (1 month) were the five that perished in the fire.
The victims were declared dead at the scene by Deputy Coroner Steven A. Whiteman; autopsies are set for this Wednesday.
Even in the face of disaster, some people survived. After being pulled from the flames, the mother and her two additional children, ages one and ten, are presently undergoing medical attention at Pittsburgh-area hospitals. Their circumstances are yet unknown.
“It’s a sad night here tonight,” said Jeannette Fire Chief Bill Frye, expressing the depressing atmosphere, but at the same time praising the bravery of the firefighters, onlookers, and police officers who pulled three people out of the burning house.
Jack Mull, a neighbor, described how he tried to help after seeing the fire, contacting 911 and trying to save others who were trapped inside. Even with valiant efforts, the fire’s ferocity proved to be too much.
The unfortunate incident also affected nearby properties; the fire spread to a house next door, and both homes were declared completely destroyed.
Superintendent of the Jeannette City School District Matthew Jones revealed that “multiple members of our school district” were among the dead, as the community struggles to cope with this heartbreaking loss. All those impacted by this tragic event are being offered support services and grief therapy.
“Our hearts go out to the family and first responders involved in this tragedy,” Frye said, asking people to remember them in their prayers and thoughts at this trying time.
