Group of boys preparing to attend friend's funeral escape Butler Co. house fire

BUTLER COUNTY, Pa. — Emergency crews were called to Butler County early Friday morning to battle a fire at the home of a family already dealing with another tragedy.

Officials said the blaze started at the Steeles' home on Slippery Rock Road in Fairview Township.

Barry Steele and his friends were all sleeping at the time the blaze started. The group of boys was going to attend the funeral of their friend, 17-year-old Kyle Robinson, on Friday.

"I heard my mom screaming my name saying that the house was on fire, so I woke up and got all of my friends out," Steele said.

The boys' friend Robinson died Monday on Route 68 in Armstrong County when he lost control of his car and crashed into another vehicle.

Steele said Robinson was on his way to pick him up when he crashed.

"I got a phone call two hours after I was supposed to be picked up that he was in a car accident," Steele said.

Steele's father, Barry Steele Sr., said he doesn't have insurance and has no idea how he will rebuild. He said he's hoping the fire is the last bad news his family will receive.

"I'm hoping this is the worst of things that's going to happen for a long time," Steele Sr. said.

The Steeles received one good piece of news Friday when they found their dog, Duchess, who ran out of the house during the fire.

If you'd like to make a donation to the Steele family, you can do so at the Huntington Bank in Chicora.

WPXI