KENOSHA, Wis. — Three children died and their father was injured in an apartment fire on Thanksgiving night in Kenosha, leaving a community in mourning.
Connor, Rylee and Alena Kannin lost their lives in the blaze that broke out at an apartment complex on 43rd Avenue shortly after 10:30 p.m. Thursday. Their father was also injured in the fire.
Surveillance video captured the moment flames began consuming the apartment unit. Within minutes, thick smoke engulfed the complex as people could be seen running around the building.
LaToya Cook, who lives in the same building, was returning from a Thanksgiving gathering with her daughter when she noticed the fire.
"I instantly smelled it, and then you could see the smoke in the air. It was very thick, and it was bad," Cook said.
Cook said her first concern was for the children who regularly played outside the complex.
"The kids, nothing but the kids, like these kids, are out here every day, playing and everything, and it's I was just worried about the kids. That's it," Cook said.
Watch: Neighbors mourn 3 siblings killed in Thanksgiving apartment fire in Kenosha
First responders arrived shortly after the fire began. Police and fire personnel spent the day investigating the scene and speaking with neighbors.
Cook said she is praying for the family during this difficult time and shared a message for the community.
"Everybody else, just love your kids. Please tell them you love them. Every day, you never know what's going to happen. You never know," Cook said.
The tragedy has left neighbors shaken, with many finding it difficult to look at the aftermath.
"It makes me sick to my stomach, just looking that place it. Don't want to drive past it, but unfortunately, I have to. But it's hard," Cook said.
A GoFundMe has been established to support the family.
The fire remains under investigation, and no cause has been determined at this time.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Marty Howard at 262-605-5284 or Crime Stoppers at 262-656-7333.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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