KENOSHA, Wis. — Tragedy struck on Thanksgiving night when three young siblings lost their lives in an apartment fire in Kenosha, authorities said.
The Kenosha Fire Department reported that crews were called to an apartment building on 43rd Avenue, just south of 52nd Street, around 10:30 p.m. Thursday. Battalion Chief Todd Leipzig said firefighters found the unit fully engulfed in flames and heavy smoke upon arrival.
The victims were identified as 10-year-old Rylee Kannin, 9-year-old Connor Kannin, and 7-year-old Alena Kannin. Their father, who was also inside the apartment, was treated for smoke inhalation at a local hospital.
Alena was transported by Flight For Life to a hospital, but officials announced shortly before 12:30 p.m. Friday that she had died. Fire crews contained the fire to the single apartment unit and brought it under control in about 35 minutes. While the Kannin family’s unit is now uninhabitable, no major damage occurred to other apartments, and no additional injuries were reported.
Leipzig noted that it is still unclear whether smoke alarms were functioning in the apartment at the time of the fire, calling that “part of the investigation.” Kenosha police are assisting as authorities work to determine the cause, which could take weeks.
The Kenosha community is mourning this devastating loss, remembering the young lives cut tragically short in what was meant to be a holiday gathering.
