Family, friends still reeling from fire that killed 12 in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia
"We put the crosses so I can pray for them, and hope they made it to God and God can take care of them," said a relative.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Family, friends and members of the Fairmount community came together on Friday for an impromptu vigil to remember the 12 people killed in the duplex fire this week.
The fire in Philadelphia earlier this week took the lives of 8 children and 4 adults.
Markese Robinson says his brother and 5-year-old nephew made it out alive and are now recovering in the hospital.
"He is strong. He is in there recovering right now and trying to wrap his mind around the fact that he just lost his whole family in one shot but he still has a purpose to live for," said Markese Robinson.
Ten-year-old Micah Robinson is still trying to process his cousins are gone.
"We put the crosses so I can pray for them, and hope they made it to God and God can take care of them," said Robinson.
The 12 victims were killed in the fire around 6:40 Wednesday morning in the row house duplex in the 800 Block of North 23rd Street.
Family members identified one of the victims as 32-year-old Virginia Thomas. A second sister, who was identified as Rosalee McDonald, died in the fire along with her six children: three boys and three girls.
"All I have is happy thoughts of them. They were so cheerful. Every time I saw them, they were always full of life and ready to go. That's how we are going to continue to remember them, full of life and full of energy," said Markese Robinson.
Investigators promise no stone will be left unturned as they work to figure out what started the fire. Fire officials say 18 people were living in the upstairs apartment, and another eight lived on the first floor.
Neighbors who knew the victims say this community can never be the same.
"I have had time to pray and to just kind of take a moment and remember the kids that I was closest to. I think processing it with my friends who also were connected to the family has been the most helpful," said Fairmount resident Mariah Bankemper.
The Philadelphia Housing Authority says both units had working smoke detectors, all powered by 10-year lithium batteries, when housing officials inspected the property last May.
But firefighters say those smoke detectors were not working.
"What I would say to the community is thank you for your prayers. Just keep him in prayers for after this. It's mental. He told me he feels like he has to start all over but I am trying to give him strength to let him know he still has support," said Robinson.
Investigators say it could be weeks before an official cause is released.
