Community Mourns Two Little Girls Killed In Catawba County Fire

CATAWBA CO., N.C. – A community is mourning after two little girls were killed in a Catawba County house fire.

Family members say Kaleigh and Khole Rumfelt died after becoming trapped inside the home.

“First thing I thought about was my kids,” says local resident Jason Ingle.

Ingle woke up Monday morning overwhelmed by the tragic news.

“It’s hard to deal (with), but you know, we’re trying to help, help this family out,” he says.

Ingle is working to raise money for the family of six-year-old Kaleigh and four-year-old Khole.

The little girls died when the house they were staying in on Grassy Creek Road caught fired just before 9:00 on Sunday night.

The fire marshal confirms it started due to an electrical issue.

“It was heavy smoke and heavy fire conditions upon arrival,” explains Chief Rick Davis, with Sherrills Ford-Terrell Fire & Rescue.

Firefighters arrived to find three other family members had already made their way outside the home with the little girls still trapped inside.

“The rescue was made through the window, where the firefighters actually handed the children out to the firefighters,” Davis says.

The girls were taken to the hospital, but died.

On a GoFundMe page, family members describe the little girls as, “bright, smart, and adorable,” saying they loved animals and being outside.

Ingle and local businessman Tim Smith are also raising money to help pay for funeral expenses, accepting donations at Carolina Auto Direct in Lincolnton and Lakeside Heating and Air in Denver.

“They’re going to have to bury these kids, and so they’re going to need some finances to help with that,” says business owner Tim Smith.

Smith says he has no doubt the community will come together in this time of need.

“The other need is that they need moral support, they need to know that everybody’s behind of them and what would you do if it was my kid, that’s what I think,” Smith says.