The fire erupted around midnight on Wednesday, March 20, at the family’s home on Guy Street. Inside, a family of eight (two parents and their six children), battled the flames that swiftly consumed their residence.
The Westmoreland County coroner has identified the victims as 27-year-old Tyler King and his children: seven-year-old Kyson John, six-year-old Kinzleigh John, three-year-old Keagan John, and one-month-old Korbyn John.
In a frantic race against the raging inferno, firefighters were able to rescue the mother, Miranda John, alongside two of her children, ten-year-old Kayden John and one-year-old Kash John. Currently, Miranda is in stable condition, with her sons fighting for their lives in the ICU in critical condition.
The scene was one of utter despair, as Jeannette’s Fire Chief Bill Frye described the night as incredibly sorrowful for the city. Chief Bill disclosed that upon arrival, the fire brigade faced significant challenges, including issues with water supply from a nearby hydrant that hampered their rescue efforts.
“Due to some complications, we were unable to get to everybody due to the progression of the fire on arrival,” Bill lamented, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by the responders.
The intensity of the fire not only devastated the King family home but also caused damage to neighboring properties. A local resident, Jack Mull, vividly recounted his attempts to assist the family amidst the chaos.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14yGcAnzTs
Tyler King and Miranda John, as seen in a Facebook post dated March 21, 2024 | Source: Facebook/JenniferBorrasso
Family members are seeking solace and strength in their memories of the five who perished in the blaze. Miranda’s cousin, Natasha Reaggle, offered a poignant remembrance of each victim, painting a picture of a family bound by love and shared joy.
“A mother lost four of her beloved children and the love of her life,” Natasha shared, highlighting the deep bond between Miranda and her fiancé Tyler, a couple who shared “a love that most dream of” over the last 12 years. Tyler, remembered as an “amazing, kind-hearted person,” was known for his ever-present smile and gentle spirit.
Natasha fondly recalled the unique qualities of each child: Kinzleigh, with her “spunky spirit,” mirrored her mother’s vitality and loved cheerleading; Kyson, though “a child of few words,” communicated deeply through his artistic talents and love for drawing; Keagan, a “spitfire” and “daddy’s boy,” adored dinosaurs and playful bouts with his cousin, Laya; and Korbyn, though only with the family for a short month, was seen as the final piece that completed their loving circle.
Flowers and balloons placed at the memorial site for the King Family, as seen in a Facebook post dated March 21, 2024 | Source: Facebook/JenniferBorrasso
The family’s plea for prayers and unity speaks to their enduring strength and the supportive embrace of their community. “We’re all just trying to rally around each other,” Natasha said, reflecting on the collective effort to support both the survivors and honor those lost. “We’re just praying for both the ones that we lost and the ones that are still here. Just trying to stick together through this.”
