Help pours in for mom, family that lost two kids in OP fire. ‘Lost everything’
Overland Park fire investigators have yet to determine what caused a Saturday morning apartment fire that killed a brother and sister and injured three other members of their family.
As the investigation continues, donations are coming in to help support the siblings’ family and assist with funeral expenses. A close friend of the family created a GoFundMe account, and has also organized a collection box at Jake’s Place Bar & Grill in Shawnee, where people can drop off donated items, gift cards and clothes for the siblings’ mom, her fiancé and their little sister, who is 5.
“They are rebuilding their lives completely,” said the family’s close friend, who because of privacy reasons and focus on the victims of the fire, didn’t want to be named. “This family lost everything.”
Fire broke out in their Sheridan Ridge apartment, located at 83rd and Farley Streets, just before 3 a.m. Saturday. One adult and three children were transported to area hospitals in critical condition and one adult was transported in stable condition, the fire department said.
On Tuesday, fire department officials confirmed that the oldest of the three children — Noah, 11 — had died. Then on Thursday, the department confirmed his sister Madison, 10, had also died of her injuries.
Fire investigators are trying to determine if there were working smoke alarms in the apartment, said Jason Rhodes, a spokesperson for the Overland Park Fire Department. Where and how the fire started is also under investigation, he said.
Sheridan Ridge is a Price Brothers apartment property and a community of town homes. The Star also asked the management company whether there were working alarms in the family’s residence.
“This was a terrible tragedy, and we are heartbroken for the family,” said Katy Briggs, managing director of marketing for Price Brothers Management Company, in an emailed statement. “Out of respect for their privacy, we won’t be providing any additional information. We are grateful for the work of first responders, and recommend any questions be directed to the fire department.”
In the family’s GoFundMe, which has raised more than $18,000 as of Friday morning, it describes the siblings.
“Madison was a beautiful, loving, and kind little girl,” the fundraiser said. “She had such a gentle spirit and was always so respectful to everyone around her.”
And Noah, the GoFundMe said, “was protecting his little sister during the fire — a true act of courage and love that defines who he was.”
The family friend said she’s focused on helping the siblings’ mother and everyone is appreciative for the donations coming in.
“It’s just not fair to a mom to have to bury two of her children,” the friend said. “ ... I don’t think she will ever be the same.”
