PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A grieving family is now planning three funerals after a devastating house fire in Portsmouth.
A mother and her two children died after being trapped inside a burning home on Neville Street.
Relatives are faced with the challenge of accepting that they will never see their loved ones again.
On March 8, a fire ripped through a duplex. The Portsmouth Fire Marshal’s Office determined the cause of the fire, which started with a candle sitting near window curtains. They also said there were no working smoke detectors in the home.
Officials said six people were in the home at the time. Two adults and an infant made it out alive, but 37-year-old mother of five Aria Williams, four-year-old Lamar White Junior, and two-year-old Ellay White became trapped in the home and succumbed to their injuries.
“Junior was different. He was like an old soul, and then my fat sister, that’s what I called Ellay,” said Williams’ son Jahkes Williams.
Other relatives describe Williams as being helpful, spontaneous and adventurous. They also said she received a certificate in the healthcare field.
“It’s a tough situation. It’s a lot to deal with, as everyone is grieving in their own way. Emotions are all over the place. We’re just trying to be unified in what we’re trying to do,” said William’s older brother, Shefford Williams.
The brother said while he’s still grappling with the loss of his sister, nephew and niece, the family is left with the challenge of laying them all to rest.
“It’s a big task to do three people at once,” said Williams.
The family hopes to lay their loved ones to rest on Saturday, March 23rd. They created a GoFundMe Page to cover funeral costs.