Community reaches out to help Lebanon children whose mothers died in early morning fire

As family and friends grieve the loss of two mothers killed in a Lebanon house fire early Saturday, efforts are underway to help support the five young children they left behind.

Katisha Williams, 33, and Summer Boltz, 36, died when a fire that started around 6 a.m. in a kitchen trash can engulfed a rowhome at 216 N. 11th St., according to officials.

"A lot of our efforts (were) focused on accessing them, but the fire chased us out," Lebanon City Fire Commissioner Duane Trautman said.

The home was in the middle of a three-home row. The two adjoining homes were damaged as well, with the total to all three at about $250,000, Trautman said.

Boltz, who lived in the house where the fire took place, leaves behind two daughters and a son, ages 11, 7 and 3.

"My sister was was a great mom, and she loved her kids," said Billi Richardson, older sister of Boltz. "I think it's just so sad that her youngest one won't even remember who she is at this point. It'll be up to us to remind them of who she was, what she loved and what was important to her. Things that she wanted them to grow up knowing."

More:GoFundMe accounts set up for children of women who died in Lebanon fire

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Lebanon City Police are still investigating the fire, but officials said criminal activity is not suspected. In addition, investigators are not sure if the home contained smoke alarms; none were found, but with the high level of damage, it will be difficult to determine if there were any there at all, according to Trautman. 

Richardson described her sister as having a big personality and dependable with her children. It was really important that her children were always with her or a family member.

More: Read Boltz's obituary 

"She really didn't want 'strangers raising her kids', as she put it," she said. "She wanted her or someone related to her to be invested in them as people." 

Born in North Dakota, Boltz graduated from Dickenson High School and attended both the University of North Dakota and Central Lakes College before moving to Pennsylvania. 

"She was super sarcastic, but she cared about things and felt things deeply," Richardson said. "A lot of times she just hid it well."

GoFundMe accounts have been set up for the children of both women. Richardson, the organizer of Boltz account, said the money would help Boltz's children recoup what they lost in the fire and sett them up for the future. 

"For kids, losing a parent is horrible but then you don't have any of the things that bring you comfort," she said. "Like your favorite stuffed animal or your blanket that you had when you were a baby." 

Organizers are trying to get funds for clothing, shoes and old Christmas gifts. Richardson said they are also trying to help with funeral expenses, housing costs for the children and their dad, Mike Boltz, and college expenses.   

The Quentin Tavern Restaurant and the Lebanon Farmers Market have taken up gift card collections for the children. The American Red Cross has also been in touch with the families. 

"It's just been a real blessing, when the worst things happen and you see people go above and beyond," she said. "This whole experience helps reaffirm that the world can be tragic and awful, but beautiful." 

Services for Boltz and Williams are planned for Saturday. 

USA Today NETWORK Reporter Ted Czech contributed to this report.