5 Dead, Including 3 Kids, After Fire Breaks Out at Birthday Party

Five people, including three children, have died in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, after a house fire broke out during a birthday party.

According to the city of Lebanon, Penn., firefighters were called to the residence on Sunday, Sept. 28, at around 8:43 a.m., finding the two-story home “fully engulfed, with flames visible from the windows.”

At the time of the fire, ten people—”guests visiting for a birthday celebration”—were trapped inside. Firefighters requested backup from nearly a dozen additional departments, the city said.

Three individuals were quickly rescued and transported to two local hospitals. “After rescuing these victims, conditions within the structure deteriorated, forcing crews to withdraw and continue suppression efforts from the exterior,” the city statement added. “Once conditions stabilized, firefighters re-entered the building and recovered two additional victims.”

Lebanon Fire Chief Aaron Sweitzer told Local 21 News that crews initially tried to combat the blaze from inside but had to retreat as flames intensified.

“It had heavy fire on the first and second floor, and we were unable to make any entry into the structure until fire suppression was knocked down so we could advance,” he said.

One neighbor recounted trying to help once they learned a baby was inside. “Once the guy said there was a baby inside the house, I tried to get in and directly across from me there was a couch on fire,” the man told Local 21 News. “The fire was real intense, and the smoke was really thick. So I tried to get under it, but there was no way for me to get in there.”

The Lebanon County Coroner’s Office identified four of the five victims: 1-year-old Amarri Morris Rodriguez, 4-year-old Veyda Pereyra, 17-year-old Jaeden Nunez, and 73-year-old Josefina Estevez, according to NBC affiliate WGAL. The fifth victim was later identified by Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello as 23-year-old Tailing Nunez, who had been hospitalized in critical condition following the blaze.

The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the incident. City officials confirmed the fire originated from an electrical outlet in the first-floor living room and has been ruled accidental.

The local non-profit Bag of Hope announced it will begin accepting clothing donations to support the family affected by the tragedy.

“On behalf of the City, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. Words cannot capture the depth of our sorrow for their loss. Our thoughts and prayers remain with all those impacted by this devastating event,” Mayor Capello said in a statement.