Teens Hold Vigil For New Kensington Fire Victim

NEW KENSINGTON (KDKA) -- Dozens of teenagers gathered to take part in a candlelight vigil at the scene of a fatal fire on Seventh Street in New Kensington Wednesday night.

The vigil was outside the home of Amy Mazziotti. She and her two sons, along with her boyfriend, and another teen, escaped the early morning house fire, some by jumping out of upstairs windows.

But another overnight house guest, 15-year-old Khareem Hutchinson, died in the fire. Hutchinson, according to friends, was afraid of heights. His body was found near the front door of the charred home.

"Hutchinson was inspirational to everybody, small as he was, he knew how to put a smile on everyone's face, he loved God and loved life," Anthony Czajkowski said.

"Khareem was the happiest person ever, he made us laugh by [acting] stupid, but it was funny," Eklania Guido, another one of Hutchinson's friends, said

Hutchinson was a member of the River's Edge Church Group for the past three years. The state fire marshal is investigating the cause of today's fatal fire.

Mazziotti, her boyfriend, Aaron Adams, and her two sons, Nino, and Vinnie, remain hospitalized at UPMC Mercy Hospital. Funeral arrangements for Hutchinson are incomplete.