Current:Home > FinanceNeighbors describe frantic effort to enter burning Arizona home where 5 kids died: "Screaming at the tops of our lungs"-LoTradeCoin
Neighbors describe frantic effort to enter burning Arizona home where 5 kids died: "Screaming at the tops of our lungs"
View Date:2024-12-23 23:39:29
Neighbors described a frantic effort to enter a burning house in Arizona where five children were trapped, saying they "did everything we could" to get inside. The chilling accounts came after a father who left four children and a young relative at the home so he could buy Christmas gifts and groceries returned to find the charred remains of the family's home after a fire broke out, killing all five children inside, authorities said.
Investigators in northwestern Arizona said Tuesday they have yet to determine what started the blaze, which began Saturday evening in the downstairs foyer area of the two-story duplex. Flames and smoke traveled up the only staircase inside the home, preventing the children from escaping.
Their bodies were all found in an upstairs bedroom, investigators said.
Bullhead City police did not immediately release the names of the children pending identification by the medical examiner. They included a 4-year-old girl and her three brothers - ages 2, 5 and 13 - and an 11-year-old boy who was a family relative and visiting at the time.
A Bullhead City Fire Department employee was the grandfather of the victims, police revealed in a social media post.
City Mayor Steve D'Amico, in a video statement Tuesday, said the tragedy has shaken the close-knit community near the Colorado River and the Nevada border.
"I have seen the flowers, the stuffed animals and the candles" lining the chainlink fence in front of the home, D'Amico added.
Patrick O'Neal was among the neighbors who rushed over after seeing smoke coming out of the home. He said about a dozen men gathered hoses and broke windows to try to get into the burning house.
"We pulled the garage door open, there was guys pulling stuff out," O'Neal said told CBS affiliate KPHO-TV. "The closer we got to the door there was smoke starting to come into the garage and choking people out."
At the time, they didn't know if anyone was home.
"We were screaming at the tops of our lungs," O'Neal told reporters Monday. "We didn't see nothing. We didn't hear nothing. There are many guys out here who would have went into that fire if we would have known there was children ... We did everything we could."
The cause of the fire is being investigated by police and a local fire department along with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Bullhead City Police Chief Robert Trebes said investigators were working to get answers about the cause to "bring some closure and peace to parents and families involved."
A memorial vigil for the five children was scheduled for Wednesday night at a nearby park while friends of the families launched a GoFundMe page which has raised more than $16,000 as of Wednesday morning to help with funeral expenses.
The neighbors said they are still shaken up by the tragedy.
"We did everything we could and thank you to everyone that did try to help," O'Neal told KPHO-TV.
- In:
- Arizona
- Fire
veryGood! (2)
Related
- Statue of the late US Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon, is unveiled in his native Alabama
- This '90s Music Icon's Masked Singer Elimination Will Leave You Absolutely Torn
- Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Son King Combs Takes Over His Social Media to “Spread Good Energy”
- Sofia Richie Proves Baby Girl Eloise Is a Love Bug in New Photos With Elliot Grainge
- AIT Community Introduce
- Judge blocks larger home permits for tiny community of slave descendants pending appeal
- Investigators: Kentucky officers wounded by suspect fatally shot him after altercation
- Gateway Church removes elders, aiding criminal investigation: 'We denounce sexual abuse'
- Republican Scott Baugh concedes to Democrat Dave Min in critical California House race
- Best Holiday Gifts for Women: Shop Beauty, Jewelry, Athleisure, & More
Ranking
- Gerry Faust, former Notre Dame football coach, dies at 89
- Why Survivor Host Jeff Probst Is Willing to Risk “Parasites” by Eating Contestants’ Food
- NBA rewind: Thunder rise to top of Western Conference on record-pace defense
- SEC tiebreaker chaos scenario: Potential seven-team logjam atop standings
- Gold is suddenly not so glittery after Trump’s White House victory
- SEC tiebreaker chaos scenario: Potential seven-team logjam atop standings
- Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater Show Subtle PDA While Out Together in Sydney
- A gunman has repeatedly fired at cars on a busy highway near North Carolina’s capital
Recommendation
-
Best fits for Corbin Burnes: 6 teams that could match up with Cy Young winner
-
Michigan official at the center of 2020 election controversy loses write-in campaign
-
When does Spotify Wrapped stop tracking for 2024? Streamer dismisses false rumor
-
A murder trial is closing in the killings of two teenage girls in Delphi, Indiana
-
Biden funded new factories and infrastructure projects, but Trump might get to cut the ribbons
-
Judge blocks larger home permits for tiny community of slave descendants pending appeal
-
Emirates NBA Cup explained: Format, schedule, groups for 2024 NBA in-season tournament
-
Jeopardy! Contestant Speaks Out on Sexist Clue After Ken Jennings' Apology