FERGUSON, Mo. – A vigil was held Monday night for the Ferguson family of five killed in an overnight house fire early Monday morning.
Dozens of people showed up at Jeske Park to pay their respects. The park is just down the road from the family’s home on North Clay Avenue.
The vigil honored Bernadine Pruessner and her four young children: Ellie, Ivy, Jackson, and Millie. Neighbors, first responders and complete strangers showed up to mourn and pray together.
Melissa Holst knew the family. She spoke of Pruessner in glowing terms, saying she didn’t understand how this outcome could be possible.
“She was the most loving mother, friend and teacher that anyone has ever met. She loved her kids more than anything in the world,” Holst said.
Police are still investigating the cause of the fire, but Holst said she hopes people use this tragedy as a reminder to notice when something isn’t right.
Organizers said the community is heartbroken. Linda Lipka organized Monday night’s vigil.
“It’s a small community that loves one another, and when we have tragedies, we have to come together and hold each other up,” Lipka said. “I want people to know they are not alone in this community.”
Back up the street at the family’s home, neighbor Tami Norton pitched in to help rescue the family’s extensive pet collection. While three dogs perished in the house fire, 14 rabbits, three chickens and two cats survived. Norton said Pruessner was an animal lover.
“She was the sweetest, nicest lady who cared for her animals, the community and her children,” Norton said.
Norton encourages pet owners to have a plan in place for their animals in case something happens to them.
“Because if you’re not here, you’ve got to know what’s going to happen with your animals. And you want something good to happen,” Norton said.
Police are investigating the fire and what happened to the young family. But for now, the community is in mourning. Holst, whose two children are the same age as Pruessner’s youngest, fought back tears as she shared a heartfelt message.
“They’ll never be able to be replaced; nobody will ever forget them. And we all wish nothing like this would have ever happened,” she said.
St. Louis County Police have taken over the investigation into this fire.