Two family members and a guest were killed in a house fire early Wednesday in Lawrence County.
The victims were identified as Courtney Payne, 41, and Terrianna Payne, 17, both of New Castle, and Xzavia Booker, 18, who was originally from New Castle, according to Lawrence County Coroner Richard Johnson.
The Paynes, who were mother and daughter, and Booker, a female friend, were found dead inside a home in the 700 block of West Clayton Street in New Castle after the house caught fire around 5:30 a.m., Tribune-Review news partner WPXI-TV reported.
When firefighters arrived, flames on the right side of the house were advancing to the second floor, according to officials. The fire was put out quickly, but the three victims were found inside, New Castle Fire Chief Michael Kobbe told WPXI.
Kobbe said the fire appears to have started in the kitchen area. The teen victim was found on the first floor, the adult victims were found on the staircase and in an upstairs bedroom.
Family members told WPXI that Terrianna Payne was a varsity cheerleader at New Castle Senior High and that Courtney Payne’s younger son, Maurice, was at a friend’s house Tuesday night and is now staying with his grandmother.
Two dogs also perished in the fire, WPXI reported. A state fire marshal is investigating.
