Photo: GoFundMe
A father and two of his young sons died in a house fire that took place onChristmasmorning.
On Saturday, around 1:30 a.m. local time, Eric King and his wife Kristin — as well as the couple’s three children: Patrick, 8, Liam, 11, and Brady, 13 — were asleep in their home in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, when a fire broke out, fire officials told local ABC affiliateWPVI.
Although Kristin and Brady were able to escape the house fire, Eric and sons Patrick and Liam did not. The family’s two dogs were also killed in the fire, per WPVI.
Quakertown Fire Marshal Doug Wilhelm toldCNNthat Kristin and her eldest son were treated at a local hospital with minor burns but have since been released.
Speaking with the outlet, Wilhelm said that the “area of origin” for the house fire was a Christmas tree.
“We are looking at the Christmas tree that may have ignited as a result of Christmas lights on that Christmas tree,” Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree told WPVI."
However, Wilhelm toldThe Washington Postthat it may be difficult to determine a definitive cause of the fire as the blaze completely destroyed the family’s home. “There’s nothing left,” he told the outlet.
The Quakertown Borough Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
“Eric and Kristin were high school sweethearts and the happiest people you will have ever met,” wrote organizer Kristin Randazzo, a family friend. “They were always smiling and full of positive spirits, you just couldn’t help but to love them.”
“The three boys, Eric and Kristin were all a huge part of the Quakertown Youth Baseball Association and spent their days and nights at the baseball fields,” she added. “Please help Brady and Kristin feel the love and support of the community as they deal with healing from this horrific tragedy.”
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In astatement posted on Facebook, the Quakertown school district called the family “the kind of people who make this a special place to live and attend school.”
“This news is devastating to the school district community and the Quakertown area at large,” the statement added. “Eric and Kristin and their boys are very active in our community. The School District sends its heartfelt sympathy to the King family and their many friends and relatives.”
source: people.com
