Four children were killed in a fire after their North Carolina home went up in flames while they were staying home alone with their 12-year-old sister and the sister’s friend. Reports say the girls had stayed overnight without an adult at the house in Columbus County when the blaze began in the early hours of Aug. 30.
The 12-year-old girl, later identified by local outlets as Winter Green, managed to escape with her friend, who is also 12. Her four younger sisters, however, were trapped inside as flames spread quickly through the home.
According to reports, police were alerted around 2:30 a.m. after receiving a call from a female about a house fire with children trapped inside. The Columbus County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that deputies arrived within minutes of the emergency call, but by then, the house was already fully engulfed in flames, making it impossible for emergency responders to enter the home.
Authorities confirmed that the four children who did not make it out were identified as 2-year-old Kalani Rae Melvin, 4-year-old Kendall Xaiya Melvin, 6-year-old Josephina Renee Melvin, and 7-year-old Sophia Nachelle Melvin.
Following the tragedy, their father, Patrick Ellis, expressed his heartbreak while thanking neighbours and supporters who rallied around his grieving family. “Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we walk through this unimaginable loss,” he said.
An obituary for the sisters remembered them as “bright lights who brought joy to everyone around them.” It highlighted their love for the outdoors, from afternoons at the pool to days spent at the beach, and described how their laughter “filled every space with warmth.” The tribute also gave glimpses into each child’s personality, highlighting Kalani’s love of sunsets, Kendall’s fascination with rainbows, Josie’s fondness for pizza, and Sophia’s joy in watching Bluey.