A malfunctioning power strip ignited a house fire that killed five members of a Utah family as they slept, Riverdale Fire Chief Matthew Hennessy announced. The incident occurred early on October 1 in Riverdale, a city north of Salt Lake City.
Nate Bird, 38, and four of his children—Addisyn, 15, Rayda, 11, Easton, nine, and five-year-old Francie—died in the fire. All eight members of the Bird family were removed from the burning home, but one child was pronounced dead at the scene. Bird and three of his children later died at the hospital. Another child remains in stable condition at the hospital, receiving treatment for severe burns.
Lindsey Bird, 37, and the couple's two eldest sons, 16-year-old Jayden and 15-year-old Teagan, survived the blaze. According to a family friend, Nate Bird had rescued his wife and one child before re-entering the burning home to save his other children.
The fire began shortly before 2 a.m. The power strip, plugged in near the front door, overheated and arced, according to Chief Hennessy. The ensuing flames quickly spread around the first floor of the three-story house and blocked the main exit, trapping residents and impeding rescue efforts.
"They had to utilize windows to prolong rescue efforts until the fire was mitigated," Hennessy stated.
Neighbors described hearing a baby's screams as the fire erupted. A community vigil was held on October 1 for the family.
David Messina, the family's bishop, called the Birds a "salt of the earth family" and expressed heartbreak over the loss. Lindsey Bird is a teacher with the Weber School District and previously served as a crossing guard. Nate and Lindsey Bird were high school sweethearts, according to a longtime friend.
Bird's children had recently started fourth, sixth, and eleventh grades, with two beginning tenth grade. Their youngest daughter's sixth birthday was days away. A GoFundMe page established for the family has raised over $29,000.