Community helping homeless teenager after deadly fire in Rankin

RANKIN, Pa. — A tragedy unfolded on Miller Street Sunday as a fire killed one person and left a high school senior homeless.

Click here for photos from the scene.

“Jayden is a senior on our football team, he is a defensive tackle on the field this fall. He’s looking to go to college this year,” Brian Tarrant said who’s a Woodland Hills football coach.

Jayden Prince suffered yet another loss after losing his mother a few years ago. Now his 88-year-old great-grandmother who he lived with died in a fire that took their home too, later identified as Peggy Hawes.

“It is family, we take these things very seriously. Every life in our district is a life we cherish,” Tarrant said.

That’s why the community is looking to help holding a drop off driver throughout the week at the Rankin Borough Building from 8am to 3pm and at the Rankin Community Center from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. They are asking for anything for this family.

“He’s ready to get back into the school but it’s just trying to get him clothed and some things he needs so he can keep rolling forward,” Tarrant said.

The neighbors surrounding this home were trying to help too. Several of them running into that smoke to try to save his family.

(Glenn Ford/Rankin Borough President)

“As soon as it happened, folks stepped in even trying to go upstairs and help but again the smoke was too much,” said Glenn Ford who’s the Rankin Borough President.

At the same time, fire crews were getting calls for stuck cars and a water main break. The hydrants momentarily lost some pressure because they were all on the same line, but Ford told Channel 11 it was quickly fixed and not weather related.

“It’s heartbreaking and very sad, but I know Rankin is going to rally together,” Ford said.

The Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office is still investigating what cause the fire.

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