Ben Salem United Church of Christ
Ben Salem United Church of Christ
Lehighton Fire
A woman and four children were killed in a late-night house fire in Franklin Township, Carbon County, the Carbon County Coroner's office said.
The fire began at 12:21 a.m. Wednesday at a home on Willow Street.
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The Carbon County Coroner's Office says the five victims are an adult woman, three male children and one female child. Among the children, three of them were students at Lehighton School district: one in kindergarten, another in 1st grader, and a third in 9th grade.
Matthew Wheelock
Look everyone I'm the father and husband to this family .. it's easy to say after the fact what should or could have done differently.. there's no houses on that street with fire escapes it's a small town and wonderful community and the 1st responders did everything they could.. my wife was incapacitated down stairs and the kids where left upstairs all alone and couldn't do anything to get out.. they at least died in there sleep and that's the only comfort I have left in this world.. you can't imagine the pain I feel.. my kids where my life, from the day each of them where born I've strived to be the best possible father.. we had fire extinguishers and alarms and thought everything would be fine.. no one ever thinks something like this would happen.. I was at work 50 min when my neighbor called and told me and rushed home only to find my entire life, family, and sanity have been taken away from me and all I can do is try and live, to keep there memory going. Thank you all for the prayers
Brianna Smith & fiance
Brianna Smith
The dad who survived (was at work) left the state to be with family. The house is destroyed left side fire, right side mostly smoke and water damage. The roof collapsed and no way will be in habitable. My fiance and I got out with all our pets. We are currently staying at the hotel across the road and figuring out everything. I am not one to ask for help. We lost everything.