SCOTT DEPOT, W.Va. — Monday was a hard one for the students, faculty, and staff of Scott Teays Elementary School in Putnam County. Fourth grade student Zachary McDaniel, 9, and his sister Aubree McDaniel, 3, both died of smoke inhalation when their family’s home caught fire Sunday morning .
“It’s an unspeakable tragedy for everyone and your heart breaks when you hear it,” said Putnam County Schools spokesperson Rudi Raynes. “They do have a crisis team on hand.”
The band of specially-trained counselors is working with the other students in the school to help them through the difficult time.
“It’s a very confusing time, especially with this age group,” said Raynes. “You have to talk with them in a way that they can understand things. There’s no easy way to go about it.”
An investigator with the West Virginia Fire Marshal’s Office said the fire apparently started in the living room where the 7-year-old brother of the victims was playing with a lighter. He remained in critical condition Monday after he too suffered smoke inhalation. His name has not been released but school officials confirmed he is also a student at Scott Teays Elementary.
A fourth victim, the adult babysitter, also managed to escape but also suffered injuries.
Neighbors broke the windows of two bedrooms of the double-wide trailer at Nottingham Mobile Home Park in Scott Depot trying to reach the two youngsters trapped inside. They yelled into the windows, but got no response. Firemen entered the home and brought the two children out. They were pronounced dead at CAMC Teays Valley Hospital.