In a tragic incident that has deeply affected the community of Jeannette, Pennsylvania, a devastating fire claimed the lives of a father and his four young children, leaving an indelible mark of sorrow.
The fire erupted around midnight on Wednesday, March 20, at the family’s home on Guy Street. Inside, a family of eight (two parents and their six children), battled the flames that swiftly consumed their residence.
The Westmoreland County coroner has identified the victims as 27-year-old Tyler King and his children: seven-year-old Kyson John, six-year-old Kinzleigh John, three-year-old Keagan John, and one-month-old Korbyn John.
In a frantic race against the raging inferno, firefighters were able to rescue the mother, Miranda John, alongside two of her children, ten-year-old Kayden John and one-year-old Kash John. Currently, Miranda is in stable condition, with her sons fighting for their lives in the ICU in critical condition.
The fire erupted around midnight on Wednesday, March 20, at the family’s home on Guy Street. Inside, a family of eight (two parents and their six children), battled the flames that swiftly consumed their residence.
The Westmoreland County coroner has identified the victims as 27-year-old Tyler King and his children: seven-year-old Kyson John, six-year-old Kinzleigh John, three-year-old Keagan John, and one-month-old Korbyn John.
The scene was one of utter despair, as Jeannette’s Fire Chief Bill Frye described the night as incredibly sorrowful for the city. Chief Bill disclosed that upon arrival, the fire brigade faced significant challenges, including issues with water supply from a nearby hydrant that hampered their rescue efforts.
“Due to some complications, we were unable to get to everybody due to the progression of the fire on arrival,” Bill lamented, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by the responders.
The intensity of the fire not only devastated the King family home but also caused damage to neighboring properties. A local resident, Jack Mull, vividly recounted his attempts to assist the family amidst the chaos.
“I came outside on the porch and the whole front of the house was on fire,” Jack told reporters. His efforts to enter the home were thwarted by the overwhelming flames and heat. “I screamed at my daughter to call 911 and ran over and tried to get in downstairs but it was just too hot and too many flames.”
Jack recalled being outside for a cigarette when he saw the home’s porch on fire. He witnessed a distressing scene as Miranda stood on the roof, screaming for her children. Jack, alongside firefighters and police officers, made a valiant effort to rescue the mother and her two children.
“The mother, she just didn’t want to give up,” Jack recounted, the desperation apparent in his voice as he described the horrific realization that some family members were still trapped inside. Jack’s narrative painted a picture of a loving family caught in an unimaginable nightmare, stirring deep emotions within the community. “It just makes you sick in the stomach,” he lamented.
As the city mourns the loss of young lives, the impact on first responders has been profound. Jeannette Mayor Curtis J. Antoniak and Chief Bill both spoke to the emotional toll such tragedies exact on those who serve.
“People don’t understand with these first responders, it’s not an 8-hour-a-day job. They go home, they bring it with them, they can’t turn it off,” Antoniak emphasized, acknowledging the lasting effects of witnessing such loss.
In the aftermath, Chief Bill and the Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson faced the painstaking task of combing through the debris, a process fraught with emotional challenges as reminders of the children were scattered among the ruins. “Emotions are definitely raw. You got kids’ toys and stuff thrown throughout the yard. It definitely takes its toll on you,” expressed Coroner Tim.
In the wake of the disaster, investigations led by the state police fire marshal and Jeannette fire personnel are underway to determine the cause, while the presence of working smoke detectors in the home remains uncertain. The Red Cross is providing assistance to those affected as the community begins the difficult journey towards healing.