20 February 2024 , 16:07
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The heartbreaking words of a grandad who lost five family members in a horrific housefire has been revealed by a neighbour.
The blaze at the home in Ferguson, Missouri, killed a mum and her four young kids and is under investigation over the "suspicious" circumstances, according to police. Bernadine Pruessner and her children, Millie, Jackson, Ellie, and Ivy, all died on Monday at around 4.30am.
Neigbour Jamie Young found Bernadine's dad Cordell Beache at the scene near inconsolable. Mr Young later recalled: "He told me, 'That's my daughter and my four grandbabies,' and I just ... my heart just went out for him. I'm crying with him now. All I could do is just pray for the family."
A grieving neighbour at the scene (First Alert 4)The horrified neighbour recalled the family saying: "She used to take her kids walking up and down the street. She was very good with her kids. She was a very good, very good mother." Upon entering the blaze, officers found five people and three dogs dead inside following the intense fire that was so brutal firefighters had to step away from the house multiple times.
Mum and her seven kids killed in house fire 'sparked by faulty tumble dryer'
Mr Beache had to identify his daughter as a victim, along with 2-year-old Millie, 6-year-old Jackson, and 9-year-old twins Ellie and Ivy. Pruessner’s neighbour and eyewitness Jerry McClure said he saw the fire while getting a cup of coffee that morning. He called emergency services and then dashed over to the house with another concerned neighbour.
The blaze was eventually bought under control (Ferguson Police Department)“The smoke was so bad. I tried to kick the front door,” McClure said after realising a side of the house was engulfed in flames. “We just couldn’t wake them up.” According to investigators, the fire is being described as "suspicious" as there was evidence of criminal activity due to it taking officers several hours before being able to enter the family home.
Detectives are now applying for search warrants for the family's van as they look to investigate what led up to the deadly fire, which killed 14 rabbits and three chickens. Officers were seen carrying the remaining animals out after two cats survived the blaze, according to Ferguson Police and the Ferguson Animal Coalition. Ferguson Police said the investigation was "ongoing" and anyone with information should come forward. "Tonight our hearts are heavy," the statement read.
Firefighter tackle the blaze (KSDK)"Please keep this family, our first responders, and our community in your prayers as we all grapple with this horrific tragedy. Thank you to all of the responding houses and support teams for having our back."
City of Ferguson Mayor Ella Jones added: "The community is in shock and very heartbroken over this tragedy. Our hearts go out to the families of this fatal fire. Our community is praying for the families."