26 January 2024 , 16:24
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A woman and five kids tragically lost their lives in a house fire in Northwestern Alaska, local authorities have said.
The victims' bodies were found in their Noorvik home after the blaze was doused - and have now been sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Anchorage. "It is believed that one adult female and five children were in the residence at the time of the fire," officers said.
Chris Hatch, the public safety director for the Northwest Arctic Borough, told local media that despite their quick response, firefighters couldn't save the house from damage. Authorities suspect that the blaze started near a stove which was reportedly not in good shape before the fire.
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However, this hasn't been determined as the official cause, and the investigation is still ongoing. The victims' names won't be disclosed until their families are informed about the tragic event. Reports suggest that the property was completely destroyed in the severe blaze.
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Alaska's US Rep Mary Peltola said on X: "My heart goes out to the whole community of Noorvik, who lost 6 friends, neighbors, and loved ones yesterday. Tragedies like this one hurt so deeply but also remind us why supportive communities are so important. All Alaskans are sending love to Noorvik." Noorvik is a small Inupiat city with less than 700 people living there.
Earlier in the month, a sad fire in Indiana took the lives of five kids. An 11-year-old got burns but survived. Firefighters fought the large fire on North LaPorte Avenue for three hours after it started just after 6pm. Officials went into the burning house and got six kids out from the second floor. Sadly, five of them later died in hospital because of their injuries.
Fire Chief Carl Buchanon said the youngest child was only 17 months old. One adult got out of the fire with hardly any hurt. A firefighter from South Bend got hurt when he fell through the floor but he's out of hospital now and will be okay.
In a heartbreaking incident last month in Indiana, a neighbour shared her final chat with mum Naomi Briner, 35, who tragically died along with her three children, Adelia, 12, Leland, 8, and Iyla, 6, in a house fire. "It just makes my heart break," a tearful Lori Brinson told NBC affiliate WAVE. "It's really, really sad."
Brinson's husband saw a relative of the victims trying to break down the door of the burning house, but the heat was too intense. The family member broke down in tears when it became clear that nothing could be done until the fire crews arrived.
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