On the 5th (local time), a fire broke out at a house in Nescopeck, Pennsylvania, USA, resulting in a total of 10 deaths. Photo by AP, Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] The news of an American firefighter who responded to a fire report at a relative's house where his children were staying has caused sorrow. Despite his desperate efforts to extinguish the fire, he lost 10 family members right before his eyes.
According to foreign media such as the AP News and The Washington Post (WP), a fire broke out on the second floor of a house in Nescopeck, Pennsylvania, USA, on the 5th (local time).
The fire started near the front entrance in the middle of the night and spread uncontrollably fast, and most people were unable to evacuate.
It was confirmed that 14 family members were staying in the house for a summer vacation and gathering, and 3 children aged 5, 6, and 7, as well as 7 adults ranging from late teens to late 70s, died.
Mike Swank, a nearby resident, told AP, "I heard a sharp explosion sound outside and looked out to see the fire," adding, "The flames were fierce and there was a lot of smoke, so it must have been difficult for people inside the building to get out."
According to WP, the house was a relative's home where the children of Harold Baker (57), a volunteer firefighter in the Nescopeck area, were staying. They were all family and relatives including Baker's daughter and son, three grandchildren, father-in-law, and daughter-in-law.
Baker told local media, "When I first received the report, the address was listed as the house next door to the relative's house," adding, "But when I arrived at the scene by fire truck, flames were rising from the house."
He called out his children's names and began firefighting efforts but ultimately could not extinguish the fierce flames. It was reported that fellow firefighters stopped Baker several times from rushing into the flames.
In an interview with AP, Baker said, "All I wanted was to save my family," but "We tried to enter but failed."
Local police and fire authorities plan to conduct autopsies on the bodies and investigate the exact cause of the fire.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
