MARSHFIELD, MISSOURI: A Missouri community was left devastated after a family lost their three teen children in a deadly house fire on early Monday, November 13.
A relative told the Springfield News-Leader that Bella Smythe, 12, Danny Smythe, 13, and Ethan Smythe, 16, were killed in the blaze that broke out just after midnight local time near Marshfield.
Although several emergency responders arrived at the scene, the home was deemed to be a complete loss, according to The Marshfield Mail.
Missouri fire incident appears to be an accident
The Missouri Division of Fire Safety told the Springfield News-Leader and KYTV-TV that the fire, which remains under investigation, appears to have been an accident. Apart from that, fire crews did not find any smoke alarms on the property, The Marshfield Mail reported.
The victims' parents do not have a house insurance
Daniel and Carissa Smythe, the children's parents, did not have life or home insurance, the children's uncle Adam Cole said in a message posted on a GoFundMe page created to help cover funeral and "basic" expenses. As of now, more than $ 86,000 has been raised.
"To lose a house is devastating," the organizer said in the fundraiser's description.
"To experience the loss of a home to a fire while you're in it with your family barely out of reach is unimaginable. To lose a child is one of the [worst] experiences fathomable. To lose all three at the same time? There. are. no. words," It added.
What did Bella's teacher say?
The tragedy has also impacted the children's school district, which has offered counseling services to students and staff. "Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time," Marshfield superintendent Mike Henry said Monday, as per a subsequent report from the Springfield News-Leader.
Shannon Carter, Bella's teacher, told The Marshfield Mail that the reality of losing three students "at once" is devastating. "[Bella] brightened my morning with her laugh each day," she added. "I’m left speechless as I think about the future of my classroom without her."
"Ethan, Danny and Bella were so beautiful and we miss them dearly. We know and understand that money isn't going to bring them back," Cole said in an update on Tuesday, November 14.
"However, it will help equip Carissa and Daniel with the tools and equipment needed to run the marathon ahead of them. A marathon they have not been training to run. You are helping them through this nightmare of a moment in their lives," Cole added.
