Four Kids Among Five Killed in House Fire in Franklin Township, PA

Eight children have perished in two separate Pennsylvania house fires in the past two days.

Oct. 2, 2025

2 min read

Morning Call staff

The Morning Call

(TNS)

The woman and four children who died in a house fire Tuesday night in Carbon County have been named by authorities.

Aida Marrero, 37, Kaylee Quevedo, 14, Matthias Wheelock, 6, Aiden Wheelock, 5, and Nathaniel Wheelock, 1, were identified as the victims, according to a Thursday afternoon news release from the Carbon County Coroner’s office.

All five died from a combination of inhalation and thermal injuries, according to the news release, with the manner accidental. State police earlier Thursday announced that the fire on Willow Street in Franklin Township was not believed to be suspicious.

Autopsies for the victims were conducted Thursday at the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office & Forensics Center, according to Carbon County Chief Deputy Coroner Jason T. Smith.

“As stated in my previous release, this is a profound and heartbreaking loss not only to the close-knit community of Franklin Township, but to the entire county,” Smith said. “We recognize that family members are mourning and working to process this unimaginable tragedy. Please know that the community stands with you during this difficult time.”

Lehighton Area School District superintendent Jason Moser said in a statement Wednesday that the three school-age children were believed to be students in the district: a kindergartener, first grader and ninth grader. The district was providing emotional support to affected students, according to his statement.

State police continue to investigate the blaze.

Firefighters were called about 11:40 p.m. Tuesday to Willow Street for a report of a fire, according to state police. They arrived to find the first floor and rear of the second floor of the structure fully engulfed in flames.

WNEP reported that a family that lived on the other side of the twin home was able to escape and are staying at a hotel with assistance from the Red Cross.

In the days since the fire, the community has organized to help the families of the victims and others who were impacted. Nearby St. Peter’s Community Resource Center said it would serve as a collection point for donations.