3 Young Siblings Dead After Fire Engulfs Family Home on Thanksgiving: ‘A Parent’s Worst Nightmare’

Three young siblings have died after a late-night fire tore through their family’s apartment in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Around 10:39 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 27, the Kenosha Fire and Police Departments responded to reports of a “structure fire” at an apartment complex on 43rd Avenue in Kenosha, according to a news release shared on Facebook by the Kenosha Police Department (KPD).

A 10-year-old boy and a 9-year-old boy were pronounced dead at the scene. Their 7-year-old sister later died at the hospital from her injuries, the KPD confirmed. They were identified as Connor, Rylee and Alena Kannin, per TMJ4 News.

“When both agencies arrived, they found a multi-family apartment building on fire,” the KPD said in the release. “Sadly, a 10-year-old boy and his 9-year-old brother died as a result of the fire. Their 7-year-old sister was transported by flight-for-life from injuries sustained in the fire.”

The children’s father is being treated at a local hospital for smoke inhalation.

Surveillance footage of the blaze obtained by TMJ4 News shows people running as thick smoke filled the complex before emergency crews reached the scene.

“I instantly smelled it, and then you could see the smoke in the air. It was very thick, and it was bad,” neighbor Latoya Cook told TMJ4 News.

A GoFundMe page created for the family remembers Rylee, Connor and Alena as “the most amazing kids” who “had so much to give to this world.”

“Their dad is an amazing person who did everything he could for them,” the fundraiser’s organizer wrote, calling the tragedy “a parent’s worst nightmare.”

“As a community, I’m hoping we can help this father out in this time of need,” the organizer added. “The family could use all the support in the world as they have lost everything.”

According to the GoFundMe page, the campaign has raised nearly $11,000 toward its $16,000 goal, with funds going toward the children’s funeral expenses.

The KPD is investigating the cause of the fire and is asking anyone with information to contact Detective Marty Howard at 262-605-5284 or Crime Stoppers at 262-656-7333.