Neighbors, friends and family of two young children and their relative who died in a house fire in North Philly on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, came together to hold a vigil on Saturday.
Dozens of people showed up for the somber event on the 3400 block of Hope Street, where a memorial is growing for 6-year-old Kataleya Garcia and her 5-year-old brother Sebastian Rodriguez-DeJesus, as well as their relative, 46-year-old Nidre Annette Ayala.
The vigil included prayers, hugs and a release of pink, purple, blue and white balloons into the air, which was followed by a “rest in peace” chant in unison.
The fire erupted on Tuesday morning, with firefighters arriving to find the home filled with heavy smoke.
All three people killed were pulled out of the fire and taken to area hospitals, but did not survive.
According to family, the mother of the two kids was at work at the time.
A neighbor, who didn’t want to be identified, told NBC10 that the kids’ mother rushed to the home dressed in scrubs.
“Mom was out working last night, and she actually arrived on the scene screaming and yelling ‘Where’s my kids.’ So that was heartbreaking,” the neighbor shared.
Firefighters also say they found no signs of smoke detectors inside the home and are warning residents to install smoke detectors to prevent another tragedy.
On Friday, the Philadelphia Fire Department went door-to-door in the same area and offered to install smoke detectors for free for people living there.
Officials also say that Philadelphia residents can call the fire department and obtain smoke detectors free of charge.
As for the house on Hope Street, it is now boarded up and the cause is still under investigation. However, arson has been ruled out.
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