Funeral for Fairmount fire victims draws hundreds of mourners
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Rev. Alyn Waller speaks Monday during funeral services at Temple University in Philadelphia, honoring the victims of a deadly row house fire on Jan. 5, 2022. Photo: Matt Rourke/AP
Hundreds of people gathered Monday to mourn the nine children and three adults who died in a row house fire in the Fairmount neighborhood earlier this month.
Driving the news: Relatives shared memories at the three-hour funeral at Temple University's Liacouras Center, which was open to the public. Guests were asked to wear white.
- White and gold coffins lined the front of the room, covered in flowers.
- After the service, Philadelphia police escorted hearses to Chelten Hills Cemetery for a private burial.
Catch up fast: Investigators shared preliminary findings last week following interviews with a 5-year-old who survived. Officials have said a Christmas tree was likely ignited by a lighter.
- One other family member survived.
The victims include:
- Rosalee Nicole McDonald, 33.
- Virginia Thomas, 30.
- Quinsha White, 18.
- Quintien Tate-McDonald, 16.
- Destiny McDonald, 15.
- DeKwan Robinson, 8.
- J'Kwan Robinson, 5.
- Taniesha Robinson, 3.
- Tiffany Robinson, 2.
- Shaniece Wayne, 10.
- Natasha Wayne, 7.
- Janiyah Roberts, 4.
What they're saying: Senior pastor Rev. Alyn Waller called on the community Monday to support the family.
- "We come to celebrate that even amidst tragedy, our city will still live."
Dominique Cook, a family member of the victims, spoke about each of her loved ones.
- "Time, you never really know how much it means until it's gone. To my younger cousins, it wasn't enough time for us. It wasn't even enough time for you to show the world what you truly could be."
Zoom out: Days after the tragedy in Philadelphia, an apartment building fire in New York City left 17 dead.
- The community held a mass funeral for the victims Sunday.