GRANBURY (CBSDFW.COM) - The past two days have been difficult for the families and friends of the victims from Sunday’s fire that killed six in Hood County.
On Monday, friends of the victims, like Courtney Server at Western Hills High School in Benbrook, remembered those lost.
“It’s not really fair how young she was and to die, but it happens,” Server said before school Monday morning about one the victims she was close friends with. “It’s really, really sad … It’s depressing when you are so young you can’t experience your prom or football games like other students do.”
Students at the school are in shock after learning a number of their former classmates were at a party at a vacation mobile home over the weekend that burst into flames.
They had all gathered to celebrate the birthday of Alexis Schooley who turned 17 Wednesday.
Her mother, Tiffany Ryan, was like many other parents who said they had not received any official word their children are among the dead. Ryan said she was certain her daughter was one of the victims. She mentioned how her daughter had just begin to think about her future: She was planning to attend Trinity Community College before going to larger university to study forensic science or acting.
“I know. It’s just details (the medical records) to a horrible, horrible tragedy. What matters is she’s gone. I don’t need medical records. I am certain, “ Ryan said, adding that she knew her daughter was going to a sleepover at the home but was unaware that it was a party.
Hood County officials have not released the names of the six victims but say their ages range from 16 to 30.
Officials say the home belonged to Kurt Reineck, who was out of town when the blaze broke out.
Reineck’s daughter was involved in a car accident the night of the fire and had left the party. She is now in the hospital recovering. But the upsetting news doesn’t stop there for the Reinecks: The family confirmed their teenage son, Calvin, is one of the six who died in the fire.
Stacy Reineck, Calvin’s mother, posted this message on her Facebook page Monday. It reads in part:
“Thanks for all your love, prayers and support for my daughter, and the loss of my son, please continue to pray for us and the other families who have suffered loss or injury due to this tragedy.”
Parents, like Denise Honycutt, learning about the deadly incident are saddened and full of questions. Many said they were confused as to how something like this could have happened.
“My children know if they’re going to a party, I better know the parents and there better be some adult supervision,” said Honycutt. “Something like this can happen to my kids. I’m sure these parents are grieving. I’m grieving for them.”
Fire officials have not determined how the blaze began, but said it does not appear suspicious. Investigators are still trying to find out if alcohol or drugs played a role in their deaths.
