The Mason County community gathered Wednesday evening to remember the victims of a fire that swept through a line of row houses Tuesday morning, just one indication of the overwhelming loss and an equally overwhelming response.
Rotary Park was crowded with people who wished to pay tribute to the mother and her three children and an elderly neighbor who died in the blaze along historic Armstrong Row on West Second Street.
The victims include Lori Doppelheuer, 36, and her children, Eagan Hargis, 3, Kieran Hargis, 20 months, and Christopher Kearney, 10; along with a neighbor, Larry R. Brickels, 68. Doppelheuer and her children were found in the back of their home at 219 West Second Street. Brickels was located in his home at 217, a two-apartment home where another couple escaped the flames.
Kevin Bell, pastor of Faithway Baptist Church, said his church held an impromptu prayer circle Tuesday evening. When others heard about it, they asked for a second vigil so they could take part, he said.
"We had about 30 people (Tuesday)," Bell said. "A lot of people said they wanted us to have another one so more could attend and pay their respects."
Bell said it was a blessing to see how large the turnout was for the prayer circle Wednesday.
"I'm glad to see everyone here to honor the victims of the fire," he said. "The Bible says to pray without ceasing and that is what we're doing. You can't pray enough. Prayer changes things."
Kayla Day, one of many who turned out for the vigil, said she did not know the family, but as a member of the community she had to show her respect.
"Everyone should be here," she said. "We all need to pray together. This is a sad situation. I was heartbroken when I found out what had happened, so I knew I needed to be here."
Sarah Bravard, 13, is a seventh grader as Mason County Middle School. She shared Day's sentiments of community togetherness.
"I didn't know them, but my little brother was in the same grade as (Kearney)," she said. "My brother always told me how nice (Kearney) was to him and how he was friendly to everyone. When I heard about what happened, I was heartbroken, devastated. I couldn't believe it. This is the worst tragedy I've seen in my time. It was catastrophic and I knew I needed to be here with my community to pray."
Bell closed the vigil with a singing of Amazing Grace.
At the nearby Maysville Fire Department, Chief Kevin Doyle said his department has been overwhelmed by both media requests and by offers of assistance for the victims.
"Right now, meeting their (victims) needs is our top priority," Doyle said in a statement he issued Wednesday.
Doyle said he had spoken with Chris Hargis, Doppelheuer's husband and father of the children, who said the family does not need clothing and has asked that no more clothing donations be made.
"Please note the family is very appreciative of the gesture," Doyle said.
Those who would like to contribute to the family can purchase gift cards for groceries and other expenses and leave them at Fire Station No. 1, downtown. The fire department will be sure the donations make it to the family, Doyle said.
"Please note that many other families were displaced by this fire and support for them is also needed," Doyle said.
The fire chief said investigators and adjusters from multiple insurance agencies are likely to be at the scene over the next few days as they work to determine what caused the fire. However, the Kentucky State Police arson investigator's finding of accidental with an undetermined cause is final and will stand.
In a letter to the community released by the city on behalf of Doyle Tuesday evening, the chief said firefighters are also coping with the tragedy.
"We have noted each and every word of support and we will never forget them. Nevertheless, our hearts are very heavy as we end this day and send our deepest sympathy to all those affected," he said.
Doyle said firefighters met with a local minister Wednesday afternoon and he has been in contact with a grief counselor to also be available if needed. He said he may also contact the Kentucky Crisis Team, a group that helps deal with the grief process.
At Mason County Intermediate School, both school counselors and counselors from Comprehend Inc. were called in to help students deal with the loss of classmate Christopher Kearney, 10, Superintendent Rick Ross said Wednesday, and to offer support to the two surviving children, a second grader and a sophomore.
The loss of a classmate has been difficult for the students and staff, Ross said.
"It's been awful," he said. "All we can do is pray and try to support the survivors."
Teachers and counselors met with students in small groups and offered one-on-one counseling for those who were having a harder time coping with the death, he said.
Ross said Christopher was "a very pleasant little boy. I have heard wonderful things about him from his classmates."
Autopsies were being performed on the victims Wednesday, Mason County Coroner David Lawrence said. Although funeral plans may not be complete, Lawrence said arrangements for the Doppelheuer/Hargis family are being handled by Southern Oak Funeral Home in Somerset.
Services for Larry Brickels may be held in Carter County, Lawrence said.
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