Utah father and four of his six children killed in house fire, leaving just his wife and two of their children as survivors
A deadly house fire in Utah killed a father and four of his children, as a fifth remains hospitalized while his wife and sixth child are left heartbroken.
Nate Bird, 38, and four of his children, Addisyn, 15, Rayda, 11, Easton, nine, and five-year-old Francie, tragically died following a destructive house fire just before 2am on Thursday morning in Riverdale.
All eight family members were pulled from the burning building as it became fully engulfed in flames, with one child pronounced dead at the scene, ABC 4 reported.
Bird and three of his children later died in hospital, while another child was treated for critical injuries and remains in stable condition, Riverdale Police Chief Casey Warren announced on Sunday.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the child’s family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. The City of Riverdale and our surrounding communities are heartbroken by this tragic loss and continue to stand with all those affected,’ Warren said, ABC 4 reported.
Johna Aubrey, the children’s grandmother, said Nate had rescued his wife and one child before heroically running back into the home to save his other children who had become trapped in the fire, Aubrey’s best friend Shelia Noe wrote on Facebook.
Lindsey Bird, 37, and two of the couple’s eldest sons, 16-year-old Jayden and 15-year-old Teagan, survived the horrific incident, according to a GoFundMe set up for their family.
According to Noe, one of their surviving sons suffered ‘significant’ burns from trying to help rescue his siblings.
Nate Bird, 38, and four of his children, Addisyn, 15, Rayda, 11, Easton, nine, and five-year-old Francie, tragically died following a destructive house fire just before 2am on Thursday morning in Riverdale
Francie, five, seen left, and Rayda, 11 seen right, were both killed in the fire
Addisyn, 15 seen left, and Easton, nine, seen right, were both killed in the fire
Johna Aubrey, the children’s grandmother, said Nate rescued his wife and one child before heroically running back into the home to save his other children who were trapped by the fire
‘In a matter of moments, Lindsey’s entire world changed. She is now grieving the heartbreaking loss of her husband and four of her children while supporting her surviving child through their injuries and recovery,’ the fundraiser said.
‘Losing family members is never easy, and knowing we have so many wonderful friends and loved ones standing beside us means more than we can put into words,’ Sarah Secrist, a family member, commented on the page.
A neighbor told the outlet that, as the fire erupted, they heard a baby’s haunting screams.
‘It was terrifying. I cried, because we didn’t know what happened,’ Isabella Villalbos said.
David Messina, the family’s bishop, added that the Bird’s were a ‘salt of the earth family.’
‘[Nate] was a great friend of mine and just a good man. We are all heartbroken and deeply shocked by this tragic loss,’ he told the outlet.
‘Our love, thoughts and deepest prayers are with their family and loved ones at this difficult time.’
The community held a vigil for the Bird family’s tragic loss, as local Lily Anderson said: ‘We were all really close… I got told this morning and started crying. I’ve known [Lindsey] for four years. Now, having to walk to school and looking at the house is so sad.’
Lindsey Bird, 37, and two of the couple’s eldest sons, 16-year-old Jayden and 15-year-old Teagan, survived the horrific incident
Lindsey and Nate were high school sweethearts after they met during their junior year
David Messina, the family’s bishop, added that the Bird’s were a ‘salt of the earth family’
‘We just want to be there and support them,’ Anderson continued. ‘It was sad talking about it, but people were sharing their favorite memories.’
A neighbor on the Bird’s street said that they were a ‘really beautiful family.’
‘It was super sad, because I did get to see the mom [after the fire] and I feel so torn for her,’ Alexa Acosta said.
‘I felt it was super important to come for the vigil, because it shows how powerful the Riverdale community is. There was no color, no religion, no race. everyone came for one thing and one thing only.
‘We’re all here to support the family and show awareness that everything can change in a moment.’
Messina said the vigil was a ‘beautiful’ moment as the community rallied together for the grieving survivors, friends and family.
Lindsey Bird works as a teacher with the Weber School District and helped as a crossing guard every morning, Acosta told the outlet.
Bird’s children had recently began fourth grade, sixth grade, eleventh grade and two started in the tenth grade. Their youngest daughter’s sixth birthday was just days away.
Addisyn seen with her mother and father, Lindsey and Nate Bird
Bird’s children had recently began fourth grade, sixth grade, eleventh grade and two started in the tenth grade. Their youngest daughter’s sixth birthday was just days away
Lindsey and Nate were high school sweethearts after they met during their junior year, according to longtime friend Molly Sickler.
‘I will never be able to fathom the pain and sadness of this loss. Nate was such a devoted boyfriend ( they met our junior year) husband, father, and member of their ward. They all were loved by all who knew them. Of course Lindsey and her two boys will continue to be loved,’ Sickler wrote on Facebook.
‘Nate was the most amazing man, he died a hero! He loved his family so fiercely and Lindsey is the most amazing woman and mom! There should be no what if’s or how comes unfortunately these things happen,’ Annise Jordan Barela commented.
‘None of you were in this situation and don’t know the pain this family will now go through… The Birds would never spread hate only love!’
The Daily Mail reached out to the Riverdale Police Department for comment. The cause of the fire has not been disclosed.
