A devastating house fire in Old Town, Florida, shortly before 7 a.m. on Feb. 17 claimed the lives of six members of the Pinner family, local authorities and relatives said.
The Dixie County Sheriff’s Office reported that emergency crews responded to a residential blaze just before 7 a.m. First responders worked at the scene but were unable to save six people who died in the fire.
Victims Identified
Relatives identified the victims as Charles 'Jelly Roll' Pinner Jr., his wife Lori Pinner, and their four children, ages 11, 7, 3 and under 1 year old. Charles' sister, Bri Pinner, named the children Colton, Valkryie, Neveah and baby Steven. The First Baptist Church of Old Town also confirmed the family members' names, noting that one statement used the alternate spelling 'Valcre' for the older daughter.
The Pinner family's childrencharles.pinnerjr/Facebook
'We come out and see nothing but flames,' Bri Pinner told WCJB, describing how a nearby cousin alerted relatives to the blaze around 6:45 a.m.
Community Response
Neighbors, friends and local businesses immediately rallied around the surviving relatives. Nikie Waits, Charles' aunt, said many people rushed to the neighborhood to support the family and lined both sides of the street.
'There's a hole there that will never be filled,' Waits told WCJB, calling Charles 'such an amazing person.'
Bri Pinner remembered her brother as warm and outdoors-loving, someone who enjoyed hunting and spending time outside. She said he was devoted to his children and family: 'Those kids were his world.'
The First Baptist Church of Old Town issued a statement offering support and confirming it will help raise funds to assist surviving relatives. Horns and Scales Outfitters and Dixie Bakers announced an auction scheduled for Friday, Feb. 20 to benefit the family, according to a Facebook post shared by Jacklyn Griffis.
Official Statement And Investigation
The Dixie County Sheriff’s Office said it was deeply saddened by the residential structure fire and confirmed that first responders 'worked tirelessly at the scene.' Authorities described the event as heartbreaking for the small community and asked residents to keep those affected in their thoughts and prayers.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, and officials have not released further details. Initial reporting was provided by WCJB and WFTV; People magazine also covered the story.
