Twins Killed In NJ Fire Were ‘Beautiful,’ ‘Artistic,’ Mother Says

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — A little over a month ago, a three-alarm blaze ripped through a Trenton home, killing twin brothers Mar’kyi and Mar’kym Pierce. The brothers, 20, who were on the autism spectrum, were trapped on the third floor of the house, unable to escape, as the fire grew.

“Every day, it feels like it just happened yesterday. I feel this deep sadness, a lot of anxiety. It's just very difficult,” said Sadiyyah Brown, the twins’ mother.

Brown recollects the fateful day in April when she lost her sons. She had returned from a quick trip to the corner store with her brother when she found her home ablaze. Fire crews, ambulances and neighbors had gathered. Read More: Twin Brothers Killed in 3-Alarm Fire In Mercer County Saturday

During the time of the fire, five people were home — the twins, Brown's 23-year-old son, his girlfriend and Brown's 16-year-old daughter. Her other 17-year-old son wasn’t home at the time.

Brown found her daughter outside the home, while her son and his girlfriend had jumped through the window to safety, she said.

“My babies were trapped on the top floor. Everyone was trying, but the smoke was too much and the fire was spreading fast,” recalls Brown. “In desperation, I ran towards the house but the cops stopped me. They restrained me and sent me to the hospital.”

The fire was so severe that four firefighters were injured and taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center. One firefighter sustained burns and three sustained injuries due to structure collapse, officials said.

Mar’kyi and Mar’kym were found dead “under debris from the collapsing structure on the third floor of the residence,” the fire department said in its initial report.

A funeral service was held for the twins in the last week of April. Brown and her children are currently living in Neptune Township with family. Since the loss of her sons, Brown has been dealing with increased anxiety.

“Mar’kyi was “fats” and Mar’kym was “peanut”. My babies were beautiful. Such good children. They were diagnosed with autism at an early age, but they were very artistic. They didn't require a whole lot to be very happy. You can come in with a pizza or candy, or you just talk to them about the day and they will be very happy,” Brown said, showing a pamphlet of the funeral service. “They blessed my life.”

The twins loved music, especially hip hop. And they shared a deep connection with one another, “like telepathy,” Brown said. “They also had a great relationship with my other kids, who were very sensitive to their needs. In that house, we were all very united and very close. Every day was just good. And then this happens,” Brown said.

Since the death of her sons and the family's displacement, Brown said she has received a lot of support from the community in Trenton.

“Without my family and community help, I don’t know what I would have done.” Immediately after the fire, The Red Cross helped Brown and her children find accommodation at a hotel for nearly a week. They then found a home in Neptune.

Her cousin started a GoFundMe to help Brown and her children. They have so far managed to raise $8,225. Brown is currently awaiting more information from the authorities on what caused the fire. The fire is still under investigation.

“My anxieties are very high. I’m supposed to join a support group, but I can’t. I don’t know how to move forward,” Brown said.

The mother of five is leaning on her family, to help her through this “devastating loss.”

"We just stay close together. My children, when they see me down, they'll talk to me. We lean on one another.”

Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

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