Community mourns the loss of 2 children killed in Sewickley house fire

Wylde Lightner and Lyric Keys were energetic, happy children who were a bright spot at Quaker Valley School District’s Edgeworth Elementary.

“Just a bright spot in our day every day,” said Sue Paton, administration assistant at the school. “Wylde was definitely a happy boy.”

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the boy as Jack Wylde Lightner, but those who knew him called him Wylde.

Paton and other district students and staff were among about 100 community members who gathered outside the Sewickley United Methodist Church to mourn the passing of the two children at candlelight vigil Tuesday evening.

“It is a sad time that we are gathered together, but it is that common grief that brings us together,” said the Rev. Hannah Loughman at the start of the ceremony. “We might not all know each other. We might be strangers to one another. But together we are community as we come together to comfort one another to join our collective hearts and hopes and voices with each other.

”This seems like a very dark time. But even in these very dark times, as a people of faith, we gather believing that there is light.”

Wylde, 6, a first grader, and Lyric, 9, a third grader, died inside a burning home along the 500 block of Miller Way on Tuesday morning.

Their mother, identified by vigil attendees as Shelby Linn, escaped the fire by crawling through a second-floor window onto a porch roof and jumping from there.

Miller Way is an alley off Broad Street between Centennial Avenue and Hill Street.

Cochran Hose Fire Chief Shayne Quinn reported firefighters from seven communities responded to the blaze and had the fire under control in about 35 minutes.

Both children were dead at the scene.

“They were just pure joy,” said Kym Lebak, who babysat the children for a few years with her roommate, Jay Senchisen, both of Coraopolis. “No matter how upset I was, no matter how frustrated I was, their smiles would bring light into the darkest day. I was lucky to have been a part of their lives. (Shelby) would do anything for those kids. I just can’t imagine what she’s going through right now.”

Pastors from several nearby churches also led those gathered in prayer for the family, first responders and the school district.

“We pray for their mother still recovering from physical injuries, and we pray for those who are trusted to care for her,” said the Rev. Ryan Kobert of St. Paul Lutheran Church. “That you guide them with strength and wisdom to care for her physical body but also for her emotional and mental healing as she deals with this loss.”

Senchisen said he bonded with the children through video games and playing outdoors. He recalled how Wylde took some time to open up to him.

“He was non-verbal autistic, and he was one of the most amazing children I’ve ever met,” he said. “(Games) got him to open up and become more … verbal and talking and able to interact with other people.”

Senchisen said Lyric was like a “bright star in the sky.”

“Everything was beautiful,” he said. “Unicorns and ponies and rainbows (with her); she was this amazing little girl. She was great. We miss these babies.”

Several Sewickley firefighters and police officers also participated in the vigil. People held candles and sang “It Is Well With My Soul” and “Silent Night.”

Quaker Valley officials had released a statement saying counselors are expected to be at the elementary school throughout the week and possibly longer.

“Our hearts are broken by the loss of these children. They were treasured members of the Quaker Valley family and were loved by their teachers and friends,” district Superintendent Tammy Andreyko said in a statement. “We have many supports in place in the coming days and weeks for our staff and students as they process their grief.”