BLAIRSVILLE, Pa.,None — A state police fire marshal said foul play is not suspected, even though police are still trying to determine the cause of a fire that killed two young sisters sleeping over at a friend's house in Blairsville.
PHOTOS: Blairsville Fire Victims' Memorial Slideshow
Family and friends gathered Wednesday to say goodbye to Kirsten Tolley, 7, and her sister, Katrina, 6.
The Indiana County Coroner's Office said the girls died from smoke inhalation in the fire, which broke out Sunday at about 7:30 a.m. in the 100 block of North Stewart Street.
The residents of the home, Travis and Erin Lee Jordan and their young daughter, who had climbed into bed with the couple, escaped through a window.
The fire was reported at about 7:15 a.m. and began in the first-floor living room of the home, which was destroyed.
Kirsten and Katrina were the daughters of Michael Bell's fiancée.
"I was going to adopt them," Bell said. "As far as I'm concerned, they were my daughters."
He said the girls "went to school together. They were very close to each other."
Like investigators, Bell does not know what started the fire. But he does not blame the Jordans.
"It wasn't their fault," Bell said. "That's why they call it an accident. They're just as hurt as we are."
Kim Shankle, the girls' grandmother, showed Channel 11 News photos of Katrina and Kirsten taken at Christmas.
"They were such joy," Shankle said. "We were blessed to have them."
"It was worst fire I've ever seen," said Blairsville Mayor Joseph Caugherty.
Blairsville Police Officer Robert Shaw said he and another officer tried to get in to rescue the girls through the front and back doors but were driven back by the flames.
"I see (the girls) a lot at the skate park and stuff like that, got hugs from them daily," Shaw said.
Neighbors managed to help nearby resident out of their houses.
"We tried to get back in the house and you couldn't get in," said neighbor Leroy Vurnheimer. "It was too hot. There were too many flames. You couldn't even get up on the porch."
Firefighters from several other departments were called to provide additional manpower.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Arson has been ruled out by investigators.
A fund to help the girls' family pay for their funeral has been established at the local PNC Bank.
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