Bucks County Man, 2 Sons Die In Christmas Fire

QUAKERTOWN, PA — A man and two of his sons died in Quakertown house fire early Christmas morning that police say appears to have been caused by Christmas tree lights, according to reports.

His wife and their third son escaped the fire at the home on Essex Court that was reported about 1:20 a.m., WFMZ 69 News reported. Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree said authorities believe the fire started with lights on a Christmas tree, the report said.

A GoFundMe campaign created by a friend identified the family as Eric and Kristin King and their sons, Brady, Liam and Patrick, and said Kristin and Brady, the oldest son, survived the fire.

"In the early hours of Christmas morning Eric and Kristin King’s home caught fire. Brady, their oldest son and Kristin made it out, but Eric, Liam, Patrick, and their two dogs did not. Their entire home was destroyed by the fire," Kristin Randazzo wrote on the GoFundMe campaign.

The couple were high school sweethearts and "the happiest people you will have ever met," she wrote. "They were always smiling and full of positive spirits, you just couldn’t help but to love them."

The family was heavily involved in the Quakertown Youth Baseball Association "and spent their days and nights at the baseball fields," she wrote.

The campaign had raised more than $62,000 within two hours of its creation.

Bucks County Coroner Meredith Buck confirmed Eric King, 41, had died in the fire, but did not identify the children, Lehigh Valley Live reported. Autopsies will be performed next week, the report said.

Those wishing to contribute to the GoFundMe campaign can find it here.

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