A firefighter who responded to a major blaze in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania was devastated to arrive at the site to find 10 of his family members dead, including his three children.
Harold Baker, 57, has been a firefighter for nearly 40 years and is connected to the Nescopeck Volunteer Fire Company. His team was the first engine to answer the emergency call early Friday morning, Aug. 5, 2022.
Baker told The Washington Post that the original address they received was the neighbor's property but when their fire truck turned to the street, he instantly knew that the blazing house was owned by his in-laws. His kids were there because they were visiting the family for the summer to access the swimming pool.
He and his team attempted to get inside the house three times without success. However, one of his colleagues also knew of the house and told Baker not to go in there anymore.
His son was also a volunteer firefighter
Some of those identified as dead on the spot were David Daubert, 79, Marian Slusser, 54, Laura Daubert, 47, Shannon Daubert, 45, Dale Baker, 19, Brian Daubert, 4 and Star Baker, 2. Dale was also a volunteer firefighter like his father.
According to NPR, Dale joined Nescopeck Volunteer Fire Company when he was 16 years old and was described as a "fun-loving soul" who loved life. Dale was the type of kid who was always ready to help, per Heidi Knorr, the secretary of the fire company.
Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce said that based on preliminary investigations, the blaze spread out "very quickly" making it harder for the family to get out. The house had 13 dogs that all perished in the blaze as well.
Three of Baker's relatives were able to get out of the horrific inferno while another relative was saved because he was delivering newspapers that morning. Baker said that there was nothing more they could do when they saw the house because it was already engulfed by the flames.
Mike Swank, a neighbor, said that he was awakened by a blast and went outside to check. He immediately noticed the front porch on fire and took a hose to try to douse the flames. According to reports, the family was new to the property, having moved just months ago, and kept a lot of their stuff on the porch temporarily.
Community was heartbroken over the deaths
Following the deaths, the Pennsylvania community has come together for the family. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf expressed his condolences via Twitter and the daughter of the mayor of Nescopeck opened a GoFundMe page with the knowledge and permission of the Daubert Family.
Frances and I are heartbroken after seven adults and three children lost their lives in a house fire today in Luzerne County.
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) August 5, 2022
Our prayers are with their loved ones.
Thank you to the many first responders who rushed to the scene.
The fundraiser has received more than 470 donors and raising nearly $25,000 in three days. Reports cited that the relatives, as well as the fire services team, have been extended counseling services via the Red Cross.
A criminal investigation has also been opened to determine if the fire was intentional, said the Pennsylvania State Police.
