PORTSMOUTH, Va. — PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A fire in Portsmouth has now claimed three lives, including two young children. The fire broke out Friday, March 8, on Neville Street.
When crews arrived on scene at roughly 9:45p.m., they found a one-story duplex structure heavily involved with fire. Two adults and one child got out of the home through a window, according to Portsmouth fire officials, while crews fought to extinguish the fire and rescue a woman and two children who were trapped in the burning residence.
Shefford Williams remembers the phone call he got that night.
News
Woman dies, two children critical following duplex fire in Portsmouth
"My sister's house was on fire and her kids were still in the house," said Shefford Williams, older brother of Aria Williams and uncle to her children Lamar White Jr. and Ellay White.
"[I thought] The babies, the babies," said Aleta Williams, grandmother to Ellay and Lamar.
"We tried to get family members out in the area to see if they could help in any way," added Shefford Williams. "I got the news about my sister later that night."
The Williams family said 37-year-old Aria Williams died while trying to save her children's lives.
"My mom was helpful, she was an amazing person to the community," said Jahkes Williams, son of Aria Williams. "She helped her community around her. She loved her family and friends. She treated everybody with respect. She did a lot of things."
"And I know the community is feeling this," said Katie Miller, Aria Williams' best friend. "Because she was a big soul. Big shoes to fill."
Big shoes, she said, left by the kind mother who just completed her associate degree and had been making the best life for her family.
Watch previous coverage: 'Just black smoke everywhere:' Family, friends grieving after mother dies in Portsmouth fire
Aria Williams' son Jahkes Williams wasn't in the home at the time, but his siblings were.
Four-year-old Lamar and two-year-old Ellay were taken to the hospital after the fire. They passed away March 12.
"Lamar was a loving little brother. Way ahead of his time. Ellay was also loving. She was also mean sometimes," smiled Jahkes Williams. "But everybody loved her."
The family said Lamar, who loved Spiderman, and Ellay who loved Peppa Pig, brought so much joy to those around them.
Two other adults and a newborn were able to escape the fire, and as the family reports, have been released from the hospital and are healthy.
"Emotions are all over the place," said Shefford Williams. "It's just a lot to deal with right now."
The fire marshal walked the family through the charred home Monday. Firefighters confirmed the fire was started by a candle that ignited nearby window curtains and that there were no working smoke detectors in the home.
Investigations
Fired Hampton firefighter now suing city
"It was devastating," said Jahkes Williams of walking through the home.
But the family said the walk-through was one step forward as they pull together to pick up the pieces.
"We're processing. Praying together. Staying together," said Jahkes Williams and Richelle Jolly, sister to Aria Williams.
The family's grateful for any prayers and asks those in the community give them space as they grieve, especially as some of the children are old enough to use social media.
They've also started a GoFundMeas they work through the difficult road ahead.
Stay with News 3 for updates.
