Loved ones remember 2 sisters who ran back into burning home to save father, but never made it out
ORANGE, New Jersey (WABC) -- Two sisters beloved by their family and community were killed after they ran back into a burning home to save their father, but never made it out.
Flames broke out around 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving at the home on Mosswood Avenue in Orange.
49-year-old Frantzia Fleury and 42-year-old Pojanee Fleury ran back into the home to rescue their father, who is in a wheelchair and has dementia.
"These two women had big hearts. They were very deeply devoted to their families. And it's just a tragedy. I don't know how, I don't know how my aunt is gonna deal with this. My uncle, I don't even know if he's aware of what's going on. He's in the hospital right now. He suffered from smoke inhalation," a cousin said.
He says Frantzia was a Marine Corps veteran turned x-ray technician, while Pojanee was starting her own media company.
They each leave behind a child.
"This family's been here my entire life, as long as I've been here. They've always been good people, one of the daughters of the house they used to babysit me when I was younge,r too, so I know that they're going through a lot right now," neighbor Justin McDaniel said.
Seven other people escaped from the burning home.
"They are community persons. They are persons who can look up to help seniors. They're parents grew them well. They are Christian persons. They're persons who you can depend upon them. If they give you they're word, their word is good," friend, Lynval James, said."
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