FAYETTE, Ohio — Two people died in a house fire in the village of Fayette on Saturday morning, according to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.
The fire, on North Fayette Street, started around 9 a.m.
Three people under the age of 21 were in the house at the time of the fire, according to Gorham-Fayette Fire Chief Matt Welch.
All three lived at the house with their father, who had just gone to work when the fire started.
Two of the victims, Tyler, 19, and Katie, 18, died.
The third victim, Logan, 16, was taken to the hospital with injuries and has since been released, the State Fire Marshal said.
Officials said after a preliminary investigation, it is believed that the fire started on the first floor and there were no working smoke detectors in the home.
The State Fire Marshal said a cause has not yet been determined, but investigators do not suspect foul play.
Chief Welch said firefighters made every effort to save the victims.
"We put a couple ladders to the second story to try to make entry that way. But there was a lot of smoke and a lot of fire. We have to make sure our guys are safe too," said Chief Welch.
The fire left the small community of about 1,300 shaken and neighbors heartbroken.
"I never see anything at all like this, you know, and I hope I don't have nightmares over it. But it's a sad, sad situation," said Michael Slyker, a neighbor of the victims.
He said that despite trying to help there ultimately wasn't much anyone could do.
"We went and got a 20-foot ladder, but it just, well, the smoke was too much, and it started billowing out, and it was just way too much. We couldn't do anything," said Slyker.
Another neighbor, Joyce Fallon, said the morning's fire will never be forgotten in the community.
"Things happen but this is the worst thing that's ever happened to Fayette," said Fallon.
The Gorham Fayette Fire Department said Fayette Nazarene church opened its doors as a safe place for people to grieve after the fire.
Grief counselors were on hand for both children and adults to talk about what happened.
Fayette is in the northwest corner of Fulton County.
The family has set up a GoFundMe page, which WTOL 11 has confirmed, to help with any expenses. If you would like to assist, you can find it HERE.
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