Two of three San Leandro residents who died in massive East Bay fire identified
SAN LEANDRO — Two of the three people who died in a massive house fire in an unincorporated part of the city last week were identified by authorities Monday.
The two-alarm blaze at a three-level residence killed 90-year-old Shirley Demerse and 66-year-old Pamela Morrow, each of whom lived at the residence in the 2000 block of Altamont Road, near Darius Way. The Alameda County Coroner’s Office released their identities.
A third person who died has been confirmed by authorities to have been a child. Authorities have not identified that person, and they did not say how the two adults and the child were related. Family members told fire crews that 6-year-old twins lived at the residence.
An email from administrators at Jefferson Elementary School to parents of the school indicated that the third victim was a student there.
“We are deeply saddened to share the devastating news of a house fire that has affected one of our Jefferson Elementary familiies,” the email from Principal Natalie Valencia and Vice Principal Fleurdeliz McJilton said, adding that “this tragedy has resulted in the unimaginable loss of life. Our hearts are with the family members still receiving medical care and the entire Jefferson Elementary community as we navigate this painful time together.”
The fire also hospitalized four other people, including one who suffered life-threatening injuries. There has been no update on that person’s condition since the fire. The three other people hospitalized were expected to be OK.
Nine people total were inside the home, which began to burn about 5:25 a.m. Thursday. The house was fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived. They later found a person dead inside.
Demerse and Morrow died after being taken by ambulance to a hospital.
Jefferson Elementary administrators said they would have additional support and counseling services and urged parents to talk honestly with their children about the grief they may experience.
“In moments of sorrow, our community’s strength is found in the care and compassion we always extend to each other in hard times,” Valencia and McJilton wrote. They asked the school community to “join us in holding (the family) close in our hearts and thoughts, surrounding them as much as possible with our love and support.”
Investigators still were waiting to interview several family members and have not determined officially what caused the fire.