A Thanksgiving-night apartment fire in Kenosha left three young siblings dead, their father hospitalized, and a neighborhood stunned, turning what should have been a holiday wind-down into a late-night tragedy. Firefighters and police rushed to the multiunit building in the 5200 block of 43rd Avenue just before 10:40 p.m. Thursday after reports of smoke, and the flames quickly overtook the family’s apartment. Authorities said two boys were pronounced dead at the scene, and their 7-year-old sister died later after being flown to a hospital.
The children’s mother, Jourdan Feasby, told CBS 58 she had spent Thanksgiving morning with the kids before dropping them off with their father. She identified them as Rylee Levi, 10; Connor Liam, 9; and Alena Ellen, 7. “I was so excited for Christmas shopping, but now it’s just caskets,” Feasby said, describing the shock and heartbreak that hit in a matter of hours.
What Authorities Say
The Kenosha Police Department said first responders arrived to find a heavily involved multi-family apartment. The two boys were pronounced dead at the scene, while their sister was transported by Flight for Life to a nearby hospital, where she later died, according to CBS Chicago. Police said the children’s father was treated for smoke inhalation at a local hospital and is recovering.
Officials said the cause of the fire remains under investigation and that it could take time to determine exactly what sparked the blaze, CBS Chicago reported. Investigators are working to piece together the sequence of events inside the building that night.
Neighbors, Surveillance Footage, And Emergency Response
Surveillance video and eyewitness accounts showed smoke quickly engulfing the complex and people running from the building as the fire spread. A neighbor told FOX6 she smelled heavy smoke as fire crews pulled up to the scene.
The Kenosha Fire Department and the city’s Disaster Response Team stepped in to assist families displaced by the blaze, WISN reported, with local crews working through the night to secure the building and help residents figure out their next steps. Community members have described the three siblings as close-knit children who were rarely seen apart and have started rallying support around the family.
How To Help And What Investigators Want
Online fundraisers have been launched to help cover funeral expenses and immediate needs. One GoFundMe organized for the family was highlighted by Kenosha County Eye, with organizers urging the community to step in however they can.
Kenosha police are asking anyone with information about the fire to contact Detective Marty Howard at 262-605-5284 or Crime Stoppers at 262-656-7333, according to CBS Chicago. Authorities said they will continue to process evidence and interview witnesses as the investigation moves forward.
Neighbors and extended family have been holding vigils while investigators work to solidify the timeline of the blaze. The community has rallied around the grieving parents, even as officials stress that anyone who saw or recorded anything that night should come forward.
