Brother And Sister Die In Hickory Mobile Home Fire

Tragedy struck over the weekend when two young children perished in a mobile home fire in Hickory. Madison McClure, 8, and her 7-year-old brother Kevin lost their lives when a blaze broke out at the home around 4 p.m. Saturday (February 20).

"Nothing like this has every happened," said Hickory Fire Department Public Information Officer Terri Byers. "We haven't had a death in years."

According to WCNC, the two children were home alone when the fire started. Neighbors told the news outlet that the boyfriend of the children's mother was supposed to be watching them while she was at work. WSOC reports that he left to make a quick trip to the store to get snack for the kids, but the house was on fire when he returned.

The cause of the fire is still being determined, but investigators believe it was unintentional.

While many residents have left balloons and memorials outside the home, the Hickory community will unite to hold a vigil for the two children whose lives were cut short. A vigil will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday night (February 22) at Westside Park.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the children's mother with funeral expenses. As of Monday afternoon, it has raised over $6,000.

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