Two teen boys were killed in a house fire on Tuesday, Jan. 28, in Lawrence Township, Penn., per The Courier Express, WJAC 6 and ABC 23.
Hunter Brink, 17, and his brother, Harley Brink, 16, were killed in an early morning fire around 1:15 a.m. in their Lawrence Township, Penn. home. Their mother, Stephanie Brink, was able to escape the structure. (Their father, Ron, died from cancer in 2022, per Gant News.)
At the time, several first responders were dispatched and responded to the Brown Street home. Once there, the Clearfield Regional Police Department (CRPD) was unable to get inside the structure due to smoke and flames, CRPD Asst. Chief Julie Curry said, per The Courier Express. The fire was contained by 5:30 a.m.
The Clearfield County Coroner Kim Shaffer-Snyder confirmed that the cause of the fire is still under investigation, saying, “That’s standard in any fatality,” per The Courier Express.
The Clearfield Area School District Superintendent, Terry Struble, issued a statement to WJAC 6. “I write with a saddened heart this morning to share a loss for our school community and our community as a whole,” Struble said in a statement. He wrote that Hunter, who was a senior, and Harley, who was a sophomore, were both involved in the school’s music programs. Hunter was also a welding student.
“Both boys were loved by many friends and the school family,” Struble’s statement read. He also announced that there will be additional counselors and social workers to assist any students, faculty and staff.
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“When these tragedies occur, please do not forget the first responders and the neighbors who have worked through this as well,” Struble added. “As with any challenging time, prayers for all are encouraged, and the Ministerium has also been made aware and they offer their prayer and support.”
On Wednesday, Jan. 29, Clearfield Fire Department Chaplain Jim Kane hosted a vigil, and over 100 residents attended, including the Mayor, District Attorney, and some County Commissioners, per ABC 23.
“God put it on my heart that we really need to pray for the family. Prayers and support go to their mother and friends and family,” Kane said, WJAC 6 reports.
“They were just two really sweet people that didn’t deserve anything like this,” the boys’ friend Joell Henry said, per WJAC 6.
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Representatives for the Clearfield Regional Police Department, the Lawrence Township Fire Department and the Pennsylvania State Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on Wednesday.
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