Two young children have been killed in a house fire in Myersville, in Frederick County.
The two were sisters, 3-year-old Sophie P. Lillard and 6-year-old Madigan G. Lillard, News4's Melissa Mollet reported. Their deaths by smoke inhalation were ruled accidental by the medical examiner.
Several others were in the house at the time, including a 39-year-old Jack R. Lillard, who was flown to MedStar Washington Hospital Center; 33-year-old Angela C. Lillard, who was treated and released from Frederick Memorial Hospital; 8-year-old Morgan B. Lillard, who was taken to Children's National Medical Center; and 7-month-old Sadie Lillard, who also was treated and released from Frederick Memorial Hospital. Those victims and a firefighter had to be taken to the hospital for treatment.
The blaze broke out late last night at a two-story home here on Highland Avenue. When firefighters arrived, heavy flames coming from the house and instability of the building hampered rescue efforts.
The blaze was so intense that it continued to burn for more than an hour. About 75 firefighters and 40 fire and rescue units from Frederick and Washington counties responded.
One Middeltown volunteer firefighter was taken to Frederick Memorial Hospital.
Investigators are working to determine the cause.
The loss of the home and its contents is estimated to be $200,000.
Several fundraising efforts have started to benefit the family:
- Donations of jackets, clothing, personal care items, homegoods, toys and gift cards can be made at Jumbo's Pumpkin Patch, Candlelight Floral Designs, Monocacy Valley Montessori and Carroll Creek Montessori schools. (Sizing: XL-XXL 18/20 clothes, size 10 shoes for the mother; M, L, XL sizes, 34/36 x 32/34 size pants, size 9.5 shoes for the father; size 7-8 clothes, big kids size 2 shoes, prefers unisex clothing for the 8-year-old girl; and size 3-9 months clothing for the baby girl.)
- Fundraiser from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Chick-fil-A at 5501 Urbana Pike in Frederick.
- Frederick County Bank set up the Lillard Family Recovery Fund. Cash or check donations can be made at any branch.
- Fit for Life Boot Camp is raising founds online at giveforward.com.
- The Creative Children's Center at 603 Main St. in Myersville is accepting donations from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Stay with NBCWashington and News4 for more on this developing story