POTTSVILLE, Pa. — Fire swept through a Pennsylvania home overnight, killing four children, their father, and aunt who are originally from Washington.
It happened in Pottsville, about 90 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
You could see the fire's glow from miles away, but only up close could you hear the horror.
"There was a woman's voice, screaming 'help, help.' That was probably my sister Kristina," said Kerry Norton.
She and Kristina grew up in Grays Harbor and later in Marysville.
Kristina traveled to Pennsylvania to help their older sister, Kelly, care for her family.
Kristina was supposed to come back last month but decided to stay longer.
"She was a wonderful Aunt, wonderful sister," Kerry said. "She cared so much for her nieces and nephews."
Joy, 8, 7-year-old Jeremiah, 3-year-old Emily and 2-year-old Elijah, along with their father Eric Brown and Kristina. were on the second floor of the Pierce Street home.
The only way out was down the stairs to the first floor and straight into the fire.
They were trapped, and the flames were too intense for neighbors to try and rescue them.
"This is a tragic event for everybody," said Kerry.
Kelly, the children's mother, wasn't hurt. She was down the street at the time doing laundry at a neighbor's home.
When she ran up the street and saw the flames, emergency personnel kept her from going inside to rescue her children.
"They loved their mommy. They were so attached to their mommy," Kerry said.
The fire marshal spent the morning going through the debris, but still there was still no word on a cause Monday.
Neighbors say the family moved to Pottsville for a new beginning.
They now pray Kelly has the strength to keep going, with support from friends, but without the family she tragically lost.
Those who wish to make a donation in the family's name may do so at a Wells Fargo Bank. The information is as follows:
Kelly Brown Donation Account
Wells Fargo Bank
Account # 2678703436
Routing # 125008547