Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 4, 1990 TAG: 9003042098
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: TURTLE CREEK, PA. LENGTH: Medium
One man was hospitalized with injuries suffered in the early-morning blaze that destroyed the three-story home about 10 miles east of Pittsburgh.
Two neighbor children, who stayed overnight after attending an eighth birthday party for Joshua Harris, were killed along with Joshua and two siblings, said Allegheny County homicide Lt. John Brennan.
Several neighborhood children who left the party just after nightfall gathered near the burned remains of the home Saturday afternoon while firefighters cleared away debris.
"I finally made a good friend here, and now he's gone," said Kevin Cook, 10.
"It's lucky we have something to remember him by," said Richard Leiche, 5, said. "We have the party invitation and the Batman toys we won for prizes during the games."
The fire burned for about 1 1/2 hours before firefighters brought it under control, authorities said. The blaze spread to houses on each side of the Harris home, but their residents were unhurt, police said.
The cause of the blaze was under investigation.
In addition to Joshua, police tentatively identified the dead as James Bennett, 23; Carly Harris, 6; Jessie Harris, 4; Terrance Cleary, about 5; and Amanda Lee Cleary, about 3. The bodies were burned beyond recognition, hampering positive identification, the Allegheny County Coroner's Office said.
A man tentatively identified as Ray Steele of Wilkinsburg was in critical condition Saturday at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh.
"There were 12 kids there, mostly school friends and kids from the neighborhood," said Michelle Loughner, a friend of the Harrises. "The party was over about 7:30 p.m. and the kids were in bed by 9 p.m."
The fire was reported at 2:15 a.m.
Joshua turned 8 on Wednesday, but his mother delayed his party until the weekend.
by CNB