Dozens came out Monday night to say a final farewell to a mother and three young children killed in a house fire last week.
A funeral mass was held at a church in Shenandoah for Tiffany Sanchez, her 10-year old son and her two nephews.
One white coffin, carrying the bodies of Tiffany Sanchez and her 10-year old son Christian and one blue coffin, carrying the bodies of Sanchez`s young nephews, were brought down the aisle at Annunciation Blessed Virgin Church in Shenandoah.
A funeral mass was held to say goodbye to the family who was killed in a house fire last Tuesday.
The fire broke out in Sanchez`s home on East Coal Street, killing Sanchez, her son and her two nephews, 10-year-old Damian Lopez and seven-month-old Aziah Hernandez.
Only Sanchez`s 8-year old Diego survived the blaze.
Members of the Shenandoah Fire Department as well as fire responders from neighboring communities came out to pay their respects.
“Most of these people that are here now are actually people who were on the scene, who fought the fire,” said Shenandoah Fire Chief Richard Mensick. “It's a tragedy for the whole community, for the family, but also for us. It's the first time we've ever lost children.”
The makeshift memorial has continued to grow outside the family's home as the community comes to terms with its grief.
Now thoughts and prayers are with 8-year-old Diego who lost his mother, brother and two cousins.
“Try to live on with it,” said Mensick. “This is going to bother our department for a very long time.”
To accommodate the families, U.S. officials gave special temporary visas to Sanchez`s husband and Damien Lopez's father so they could come from Mexico.
Many at the service were overcome with grief, even those who deal with sudden tragedies every day.
“It's still tough for a lot of us and it's probably will be for a while,” said Mensick.
Memorials may be made to the Shenandoah Valley Youth Football League in care of Chris Knatt, 74 Weston place, Shenandoah, PA 17976.