A Christmas tree fire kills a father, his 2 children and their 2 dogs

• Media released a photograph of the victims who died after a Christmas tree caught fire.
• The family’s two dogs were also killed in the fire.
• A GoFundMe account was created to raise funds, which exceeded its goal in less than a day.

Heartbreaking tragedy. Various media have released a photograph of the victims who died on the morning of Saturday, December 25, in a raging fire that is believed to have originated with the lights on their Christmas tree. A father, his two sons, and their two dogs lost their lives in the accident.

Eric King, 41, and his sons Liam, 11, and Patrick, 8, were killed when the quick-moving fire tore through their home in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, around 1:20 a.m., Bucks County Courier Times reported. Their two pets also passed away. His wife, Kristin, and their oldest son, Brady, 13, managed to save themselves from the flames.

The devastating fire might have started on the Christmas tree

«The evidence that the fire started from the Christmas tree is very clear. It was a real (natural) tree,» Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree said. He added, «A Christmas tree burns very fast and is very hot.»

The devastating fire destroyed the King family’s home and the attached twin house, according to the Bucks County Courier Times report. The family next door was able to escape unscathed from the tragic situation.

GoFundMe goal was exceeded in less than 24 hours

In less than a day, more than $400,000 had been raised for the family, which was very active in the city’s youth baseball program. A GoFundMe account set up in their name exceeded its initial goal of $20,000.

«Eric and Kristin were sweethearts since high school and the happiest people you could have ever met,» wrote campaign organizer Kristin Randazzo on GoFundMe. «They were always smiling and full of positive spirit, you couldn’t help but love them.» The message also stated: «The three boys and Eric and Kristin were an important part of the Quakertown Youth Baseball Association and spent their days and nights on the baseball fields.»

«It’s horrendous»: Christmas tree fire kills a father, 2 children, and 2 pets

The Quakertown School District said that members of the King family are, «the kind of people who make this a special place to live and attend school,» according to a statement posted on Facebook on Saturday.

«It is horrendous. This impacts us all. This impacts our community, our families in general, the children in schools, and the people who know the King family. We are partners in this, and we and the school district will do what we can to support everyone,» said Police Chief McElree.

Neighboring family was saved from misfortune

The Sun said that the house next door was damaged, but the family who lived their was fortunately able to escape without injury.

Karen Hammerschmidt, who runs an organization called Quakertown Community Outreach and who was at the scene Saturday night, told the Philadelphia Inquirer that the neighbor and her eldest son managed to get out in time. «She literally came out with what she was wearing. Her, her son and her (other) dog it’s a miracle they got out. The fire broke out in minutes,» she said.