Three Indian siblings were among four people who perished in a house fire in a suburb of Memphis in the southeastern state of Tennessee in the US on the night of December 23rd.
Aaron Naik (17), Joy Naik (15) and Sharron Naik (14) from the southern Indian state of Telangana were staying with the Coudreit family for the length of their Christmas vacation when the fire broke out at around 11 pm, according to a statement issued by the Collierville Bible Church, where both families were members.
46-year-old Kari Coudriet who was hosting the teens while their parents were away on a Missionary trip to India also lost her life in the tragedy, while her husband Danny and son Cole survived the fire by jumping out of a second-floor window, confirmed the Church's statement.
The French Camp Academy in Mississippi where the Naik teens were pursuing their studies remembered them as a “blessing” to their community in a heartfelt post on Facebook.
While the cause of the fire remains undetermined, fire investigators said there were no working smoke detectors at the Coudriet residence, reported Fox 13.
Meanwhile, the community has started an online fundraising campaign for the Coudriet family which has raised nearly $17,000 out of the $50,000 target.
The parents of the teen could not be contacted. They flew to the US immediately after they were informed about the incident, the Church confirmed.
