Family, Community Devastated After McKeesport Fatal Fire
McKEESPORT (KDKA) -- A family and community are devastated after a raging fire swept through a McKeesport home early Saturday morning, claiming the lives of six people and injuring another.
They're trying to comprehend what's happened, and what's worse, there's no insurance for the funerals.
"We're just trying to survive this the best we can," said Laverne Egenlauf, who lost her husband in the fire.
Laverne can't believe her four step-grandchildren are gone, as well as her daughter-in-law Hope, and her husband, Ron, who was wheelchair-bound.
Her son, Keith is the only one who made it out alive.
"When we come down here, we seen all the fire trucks, ambulances. Oh my God," said Laverne.
"I just talked to her less than 22 hours ago and now she's not here," said another family member.
One neighbor says he woke up to flames around 6:30 a.m., and immediately called 911.
"So hurtful to know this happened so close. You're seeing it, but there's nothing you can do about it," said neighbor David Green.
"I feel like I'm in a bad nightmare and just want to wake up from it," said Laverne. "That's how it feels, like I'm walking around, like I've got to do something and I don't know what to do."
Laverne says Hope and Keith loved each very much.
They would have been married a year on Dec. 7. Keith was hoping to adopt Hope's children, but now, it's just a matter of getting by a day at a time. He's sedated and has no idea his family is gone.
"We do need help. We have six burials now and no insurance," said Laverne.
Doctors at UPMC Mercy Hospital tell Laverne that Keith is strong and should recover. In the meantime, she is working to set up a fund to help pay for the funerals.
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