Vigil Honors Lives Lost in the North Philly Rowhome Fire – NBC10 Philadelphia

Community members had a vigil on Saturday in honor of a mother and a daughter who died in a house in Northern Philadelphia.

Eliezer Gonzalez identified the woman who died as his girlfriend Frances Colon. Colon's 6-year-old daughter was also killed while her 8-year-old son was seriously injured, said Gonzalez.

“He is still alive, but he is fighting,” Gonzalez told reporters on Saturday. “I can't even think. I can't even sleep. I think of you every day. “

The last few days have been painful for the North Philadelphia community, especially for those who know the family. The fire occurred in the early morning hours of Friday, March 14th, in the family house in the 3000 block of North 4^TH Street while you sleep.

Gonzalez 'mother Adrian Marie remembered the shattering efforts to bring everyone out of the house.

“I tried to get out. He tried to get out, but he tried to save her [children]. I had to go in and take it out because he was almost without breathing. It was too much, we couldn't, ”she recalled. “He tried to save her, but we couldn't. I called the neighbors, 'please, help. Everyone, please help. I need help, my house is burning. '”

Some of the same neighbors answered the call to help with fire aid.

“They were all good people. My children, my girl. My children, they wanted to grow up … they would help the homeless. My children said that, ”said Gonzalez.

The vigil on Saturday moved several dozen to the neighborhood. Nasica Trinidad moved to the area a year ago and described Colon as friendly and inviting.

Trinidad helped to organize the vigil together with Colon's close friend.

“It is important because people could feel lonely at this time and we are the community. We should be there for each other. Nobody but us will be there and know what we're going through. It is painful for all of us, ”she said.

Darrin Ferrell with the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club said that he has known Gonzalez for years and added that the family was part of the riding club.

“Frances was his rock. She was everything. He loved her so much, ”said Ferrell. “We miss them. We love her. We can only … I can't put it into words how everyone has messed up. We are so broken. “

At the present time, the firefighter's office has not determined the cause of the fire.