REACHING OUT TO FIRE VICTIMS
Cameron County students collecting money

Cameron County High School yearbook staff members are coming to the aid of a mourning community by raising money for the survivors of an unspeakable tragedy.

Ten people, most of them children, perished in a house fire in Brockway.

Students took less than an hour to collect cans and determine where to distribute them among Emporium area businesses, yearbook adviser Tashine Groeger said.

"It was the kids who were inspired to do this," she said.

Groeger noted that students have also encouraged local businesses to donate. Yearbook staff is collecting money until Monday, April 21, and the amount will be announced at the donkey basketball game on Wednesday, April 23, at 7 pm at the high school gym. Those wishing to donate should contact Groeger at 486-4000, extension 1161. Donations can also be sent directly to the Peterson Memorial Fund, Priority First Credit Union, 550 Main Street, Brockway PA 15824.

Brockway Fire Chief Chris Benson said the outpouring of support from near and far has been inspiring to the community.

"It's just unbelievable -- I just can't put it into words," Benson said.

Flames swept through the home of Douglas and Kimberly Peterson early last Thursday. She and eight other members of their family perished, along with 19-year-old Jason Mowry, a family friend. Two of the couple's children escaped.

Douglas Peterson was working at the time at his third-shift job at a factory in St. Marys.

The blaze appears to have started in the first-floor living room. Space heaters were being used in the house. The natural gas service had been turned off for non-payment in May 2005.

The fast-spreading and extremely smoky fire was apparently discovered by 11- year-old James Peterson, who rushed through the home to rouse the rest of his family from bed before running to a neighbor's home for help.

His 20-year-old sister, Elizabeth, also escaped by jumping to the ground from a roof.

Douglas Peterson said his family has been bombarded by pans of food, and offers of donations of food and money.

Priority First Credit Union has set up a charitable fund for the victims, who include Jason Mowry and Kimberly Peterson along with five of her children: Rebecca Peterson, 17; Douglas Peterson III, 13; Isaac Peterson, 8; Grace Peterson, 6; and Lillian Peterson, 11 months. Also killed were Cailyn Watson, 4 months, who was Rebecca Peterson's daughter; Domanic Dellulo, 4 and Desiree Delullo, 2. The Dellulos were the children of Elizabeth Peterson.

The house was engulfed in flames when volunteer firefighters arrived just before 3 am.

Brockway Mayor William Hrinya said the community will pull through.

"It just saddens our hearts, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the families," Hrinya said. "If people could say a prayer for Brockway, we'd appreciate it."