Tragedy as four siblings ages two to 11 die hugging each other in house fire while mom was out buying pizza
Four young children died in each other's arms as their house burned to the ground while their mom ran out to buy pizza.
Victoria Santiago, two, Josué Santiago, four, Yamilet Santiago, eight, and Josira Santiago, 11 became trapped in their home when an electrical fire broke out.
Their mom Sarai Santiago García was on her way to pick up dinner when the blaze broke out, while their father, Eliseo Torres Salce, a trucker, was out of town.
As smoke plumes rose from the property the children began to scream for help, prompting neighbors to call emergency services.
Nearby residents tried to create a hole in a wall using hammers and sledgehammers to free them, but the siblings were unresponsive by the time they were taken out of the house.
- Victoria Santiago, two (right), Josué Santiago, four (center left), Yamilet Santiago, eight (left), and Josira Santiago, 11 (center right), were unable to leave the house as an electric fire broke out
Officials believe the victims had nowhere to run to because of entry and exit ways were blocked by furniture.
As soon as the Sarai heard news of the fire, she hurried back home only to learn her children had died.
Rescuers said one of the siblings who had Down Syndrome was found in the arms of her brother and sisters.
Autopsy reports of all four children showed smoke inhalation as their cause of death, according to the Mirror.
- Officials believe the victims had nowhere to run to because of entry and exit ways were blocked by furniture
- Mother Sarai Santiago García was on her way to pick up a pizza when the incident happened while their father, Eliseo Torres Salce, a trucker, was out of town
But the heartbroken mother has hit back on critics and released a statement saying that she 'would not wish this pain on anyone'.
'Everyone can judge my life and say what they want, but my babies were everything I had in this damn life,' Sarai said.
'I worked, lived, and suffered so they would lack for nothing and unfortunately they’re now gone, a pain I wouldn’t wish on anyone. And let he who is without sin cast the first stone.'
- After news of the catastrophe reached father Eliseo, he also wrote a message of his own on social media
- The heartbroken mother has hit back on critics and released a statement saying that she 'would not wish this pain on anyone'
'In heaven are half of our lives, those little ones who didn’t deserve to leave so soon and whom we miss with all our being.
'But God is fortunate to have them with him. Meanwhile, I will take care of Mum until the day we meet again,' the grieving father said.
Officials have not clarified if the investigation is still ongoing or has concluded without charges.
