Four Young Sisters Die in Florida House Fire

June 13, 2003
Fire engulfed a one-story house in an Orlando suburb early Friday, killing four young sisters and injuring their parents and 5-year-old brother.

OVIEDO, Fla. (AP) -- Fire engulfed a one-story house in an Orlando suburb early Friday, killing four young sisters and injuring their parents and 5-year-old brother.

The home was engulfed in flames when a passing motorist spotted the fire at about 6:15 a.m., authorities said.

``There are no words for the devastation of this,'' said Seminole County public safety spokesman Alan Harris.

Firefighters were unable to save the daughters of Alfonso and Chandra Barnes-Marimon: Thyler, 10; Donna, 6; Tykeirn, 5; and Shaundra, 2.

The surviving 5-year-old, Jonathan, was treated for minor burns before being released to his grandparents, officials said. The parents were in stable condition at Winter Park Hospital.

It was not the first tragedy at the home, in a woodsy area near a high school. Several years ago, the brother of Chandra Barnes-Marimon was killed in a home invasion there, said cousin Rayann Robinson.

``I just cried,'' Robinson said. ``I can't believe it.''

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